Effects of climate change on phenology and primary productivity in the desert steppe of Inner Mongolia

Variations in temperature and precipitation affect local ecosystems. Considerable spatial and temporal heterogeneity exists in arid ecosystems such as desert steppes. In this study, we analyzed the spatiotemporal dy- namics of climate and vegetation phenology in the desert steppe of Inner Mongolia, China using meteorological data （1961-2010） from 11 stations and phenology data （2004-2012） from 6 ecological observation stations. We also estimated the gross primary production for the period of 1982-2009 and found that the annual mean tem- perature increased at a rate of 0.47~C/decade during 1961-2010, with the last 10 years being consistently warmer than the 50 years as an average. The most significant warming occurred in winters. Annual precipitation slightly decreased during the 50-year period, with summer precipitation experiencing the highest drop in the last 10 years, and spring precipitation, a rise. Spatially, annual precipitation increased significantly in the northeastern and eastern central areas next to the typical steppe. From 2004 to 2012, vegetation green-up and senescence date advanced in the study area, shortening the growing season. Consequently, the primary productivity of the desert steppe de- creased along the precipitation gradient from southeast to northwest. Temporally, productivity increased during the period of 1982-1999 and significantly decreased after 2000. Overall, the Last decade witnessed the most dramatic climatic changes that were likely to negatively affect the desert steppe ecosystem. The decreased primary produc- tivity, in particular, decreases ecosystem resilience and impairs the livelihood of local farmers and herdsmen.

Compilation Principles and Methods of China’s First Mongolian Standard in Meteorological Industry

Mongolian Terms Commonly Used in Meteorological Services that was issued by the China Meteorological Administration is China s first traditional Mongolian standard in meteorological industry. In the process of formulation, the compilation unit fully complied with the principles of scientificity, practicability, universality and versatility, and used literal translation, free translation, and the combination of literal translation and free translation to translate and compile 71 mongolian terms commonly used in meteorological services. The standard fills the blank of standardization construction of basic traditional Mongolian language in the meteorological industry of China.

Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Lightning Activity in Ulanqab City

From January 2020 to December 2021,Ulanqab Meteorological Bureau of Inner Mongolia used VLF/LF lightning locator to carry out three-dimensional lightning monitoring in Ulanqab City,and compared with ADTD lightning location data in the same period.The results show that both VLF/LF lightning locator and ADTD lightning locator had excellent monitoring ability for lightning during flood season in Ulanqab.VLF/LF lightning locator was slightly superior to ADTD lightning locator in observation accuracy,the observation ability of low-current cloud-to-ground lightning,intracloud lightning observation and so on.There were obvious temporal and spatial characteristics of cloud-to-ground lightning during flood season in Ulanqab,and there was a certain correlation between the areas where lightning appeared frequently and surface water.Intracloud lightning was mainly concentrated at a height of 1-7 km.Negative cloud-to-ground lightning accounted for about 75%of total cloud-to-ground lightning,and negative intracloud lightning accounted for 39%of total intracloud lightning.

Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Variation and Forecast Model of Sandstorm Weather in Ulanqab City

Based on the data of sandstorm at 11 stations in Ulanqab City from 1990 to 2021,the spatial and temporal variation characteristics of sand-storm weather were analyzed firstly,and then the conceptual models of cold front and Mongolian cyclone sandstorm were obtained by analyzing sandstorm cases.Finally,the forecast points of the two types of sandstorm weather were given to provide some scientific basis and reference for the prediction of local sandstorm weather in the future.

Climatic Characteristics of Disastrous Weather in the Hunshandake Sandy Land

In order to explore the characteristics of climate change in the Hunshandake Sandy Land,the number of gale days,sandstorms,and extreme precipitation events in the sandy land from 1956 to 2018 were analyzed.The results show that in the Hunshandake Sandy Land,the number of gale days was the largest in spring;it first increased and then decreased from 1956 to 2018.The number of gale days was large from 1955 to 1980,and decreased in fluctuation after 1980.Sandstorms mainly occurred in spring;the number of sandstorm days first increased and then decreased.It was the largest during 1966-1970,and then decreased slowly;it was the smallest during 1996-2000.with the anomaly of about-0.16 d;it rose after the 21 stcentury.The threshold of extreme precipitation in the sandy land was high in the south and low in the north.The threshold exceeded 80 mm in the southern part of the sandy land,and was less than 50 mm in sandy hinterland and its northern part.The total frequency of extreme precipitation in the sandy land showed an increasing trend year by year.Especially after 1982,the frequency of extreme precipitation rose obviously.Extreme precipitation events mostly happened in July and August.The frequency of extreme precipitation events was the highest in Abaga Banner and the lowest in Duolun County.The maximum daily precipitation appeared in Duolun County,reaching 142.3 mm.