Accurate crop yield prediction is crucial for governments to understand production levels, plan agricultural activities, and ensure national food security. Meteorological factors critically influence crop yields, and yield prediction methods and technology systems based on these factors serve as important references. Meteorological yield prediction predominantly employs statistical methods because of their simplicity, ease of implementation, and high accuracy, making them the most widely used techniques in China. This study reviews the application of the most commonly used statistical methods in meteorological yield prediction in China—including the key meteorological factor, climate suitability, and historical meteorological impact index methods. Through extensive data collection and investigation, a detailed overview is provided regarding the crop types and regions where each statistical method has been applied, the quantities and time scales of selected meteorological factors, various calculation approaches for meteorological indicators, and the modeling techniques adopted. The paper elaborates on the effectiveness of each statistical method across different regions and crops, evaluates the performance of integrated statistical models, and compares the forecast accuracy of different approaches. In doing so, several issues in the statistical prediction of meteorological yields are identified. For example, the key meteorological factor method offers advantages such as easy model parameter acquisition and operational applicability; however, it primarily considers the effects of light, temperature, and water, potentially overlooking other meteorological factors and disasters. The climate suitability method comprehensively accounts for the light, temperature, and water resources required for crop growth but mainly focuses on average states with lower temporal resolution, making it difficult to capture the impact of short-term disastrous weather. The historical meteorological impact index method objectively and quantitatively predicts the influence of meteorological conditions on crop yields; however, it is challenging to identify truly similar years. These issues contribute to unstable forecast results. To overcome these limitations, future efforts can focus on integrating data from multiple sources (such as satellite remote sensing, wireless sensor networks, Internet of Things, etc.), introducing advanced data analysis technologies and new statistical methods (such as machine learning and deep learning algorithms), and combining these with crop growth models to establish an integrated technology system based on agriculture, meteorology, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence. This will facilitate the development of mixed forecasting models suitable for various spatiotemporal scales, which are efficient and highly accurate. By conducting applicability analyses for different regions and crops, the precision, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of agricultural meteorological services will be enhanced.

As the scarcity of global water intensifies, accurate assessments of water resource carrying capacity (WRCC) have become essential for sustainably managing regional water resources and combating the adverse effects of climate change. However, the water resources-ecology-society system is highly complex, involving multidimensional interactions anddynamic internal changes that cannot be fully captured by a single evaluation method. This paper reviews the application status and research progress of coupled-model methods for WRCC evaluation. A systematic comparative analysis reveals the strengths and limitations of the major evaluation methods—systems analysis, comprehensive evaluation, and machine learning—in WRCC evaluation. Particular attention is devoted to the challenges of these methods in arid regions. The dynamic feedback mechanisms, nonlinear modeling capabilities, data-driven characteristics, and applicabilities of different methods are analyzed through a horizontal comparison study. The review also analyzes the suitabilities and limitations of each method in arid regions and explores the feasibility of coupled models, providing new insights for resolving WRCC issues in these areas. Multimodel integration and data-driven optimization will enhance the generalizability and applicability of models in future, facilitating the transition of water resource management from static evaluation to dynamic simulation and precise prediction. These developments will offer scientific support for sustainable water resource utilization in arid regions and worldwide.

Agricultural solar thermal resources are the core advantage in the national strategy of the Tarim Basin’s western development. However, there has been no comprehensive quantitative assessment of the potential for developing agricultural solar thermal resources in the Tarim Basin. Based on the analysis of the inter-annual trend and spatial pattern characteristics of agricultural solar thermal resources in 42 counties in the Tarim Basin, this study established a comprehensive evaluation index system and used the entropy-weight TOPSIS method and Mann-Kendall trend test to evaluate the potential for developing agricultural solar thermal resources in the Tarim Basin. The results revealed that (1) between 1990 and 2020, the agricultural solar thermal resources in the Tarim Basin, including annual sunshine hours, annual solar radiation, annual active heat accumulation above 10 ℃, and annual mean temperature, exhibited an upward trend, while the number of days with at least three hours of effective sunshine and annual evaporation displayed a downward trend. (2) a significant spatial imbalance was observed in the agricultural solar thermal resources in the Tarim Basin, and different indicators displayed different spatial differentiation patterns, forming obvious spatial features of high and low agricultural solar thermal resources aggregation distribution. (3) a significant spatial difference was observed in the potential for developing agricultural solar thermal resources in the Tarim Basin, with an average score of 0.199. The highest score of 0.578 was observed in Zhalay County, which was more than six times higher than in Keping County, with 0.094. These results reveal a “multicore” distribution pattern. The findings can provide a realistic reference for the development and utilization of agricultural solar thermal resources in the Tarim Basin and help improve the local resource utilization efficiency.

The ongoing decline in biodiversity adversely effects ecosystem services. Investigating spatiotemporal changes in land use and habitat quality in the Three River Source Region is crucial for ecological protection and restoration. This study, based on the PLUS model and the InVEST model’s habitat quality module, conducts multi-scenario simulations to predict land use changes and estimate habitat quality. The results are as follows: (1) During the historical period, 9663.53 km² of grassland converted to unused land, represented the largest proportion of total land conversion, whereas unused land converted to grassland only covered 3659.27 km², the grassland degraded into unused land to a relatively serious extent in the Three River Source Region. (2) Multi-scenario predictions for 2030 reveal that the biodiversity conservation scenario performs best, followed by the grassland protection scenario, then the water resources protection scenario, and finally the natural development scenario. (3) Among conversion types, the contribution rate of converting unused land to grassland in enhancing habitat quality is highest at 0.7167, followed by that of converting unused land to water bodies, at 0.2603. Implementing biodiversity protection strategies, resolving the grass-livestock conflict, and enhancing management of unused land, while reducing grassland-to-unused land conversion will help mitigate the decline in habitat quality.

Wind-sand activities cause surface erosion or accumulation, affecting the safe operation of photovoltaic power plants. This study analyzed the field characteristics of wind speed flow and the erosion variation of photovoltaic panels under different wind speed conditions (6, 8, and 10 m·s^-1) through wind tunnel experiments and numerical simulations to elucidate the mechanism of surface wind erosion in desert PV power plants. The research results revealed that (1) photovoltaic panels change the near-surface wind speed and flow field, forming a front plate airflow lifting zone, a bottom plate airflow acceleration zone, a back plate vortex deceleration zone, and a tail plate airflow recovery zone; the wind speed near the surface of the board significantly increases, making it prone to erosion, while the wind speed behind the board decreases, making it prone to accumulation. (2) when the wind direction is reversed, the “narrow tube effect” under the photovoltaic panel leads to increased airflow, and wind erosion is significantly greater than normal airflow. The accumulation behind the panel is related to the deceleration of the vortex on the leeward side. (3) the wind erosion under the edge array panel of the photovoltaic power station is the most severe, while the wind erosion inside the power station array is relatively light; as the height of the photovoltaic modules increases, the wind erosion under the panels is reduced to some extent. The results provide a scientific basis for sand hazard prevention and efficient production of desert photovoltaic power plants.

Land resources are the most fundamental production factors for human survival and development. Investigating the driving factors of land use change and simulating future land use scenarios are of great significance for regional sustainable development. Taking the Gansu section in the Yellow River Basin as the research area, this paper, based on multi-source data, employs methods such as the land use transfer matrix, GeoDetector, and the Mixed-cell Cellular Automata (MCCA) model to reveal the evolution characteristics of land use and conduct multi-scenario simulations for 2035. The results are as follows: (1) From 2000-2020, the land use/cover in the research area mainly comprised cultivated land, forest land, and grassland. The extent of forest and grassland cover was relatively high, and the area of cultivated land decreased significantly. Moreover, the conversion between cultivated land and grassland was the most obvious. (2) The dominant factors influencing land use change of the Gansu section in the Yellow River Basin include elevation, temperature, precipitation, distance from rural settlements, and population density. The q-values of the interaction effects of all driving factors have increased. (3) The MCCA model exhibits high simulation accuracy, with an overall accuracy of 0.903. In 2035, the simulation results vary among scenarios. Under the natural evolution scenario, cultivated land and unused land contract, while other land types expand. Under the cultivated land protection scenario, the current stock of cultivated land is maintained, but the area of grassland decreases significantly. In the ecological priority scenario, the areas of forest land and grassland increase significantly. The economic development scenario is manifested in a more aggressive development paradigm, under which construction land experiences a remarkable expansion. The research results provide references for land management and high-quality development of the Gansu section in the Yellow River Basin.

Salinization in the irrigation areas of watersheds in downstream arid regions exacerbates soil degradation, crop yield reduction, and river water salinization, severely limiting agricultural production and harming ecological stability. It arises in a manner influenced by the depth of groundwater and poor irrigation and drainage management. Scientifically formulating measures to regulate soil water-salt is key to addressing these issues. In this study, field experiments were conducted in a typical farmland area of the riparian zone by the downstream part of Aksu River. Based on dynamic observations and field survey data, an unsaturated model was established using the HYDRUS-1D software to simulate soil water and salt transport patterns during the cotton growing season, determine appropriate regulatory strategies, and explore the relationship between the stable groundwater evaporation depth and riparian soil structure. The results revealed that the identification and validation accuracy of the soil moisture content and total dissolved solids were 0.862 and 0.752 with root mean square errors of 0.033 and 0.008, respectively, indicating that the model was highly reliable. Irrigation infiltration accounted for 85% of the total soil water recharge, introducing 127.164 mg·cm^-2 of salt, while soil water discharge to groundwater accounted for 59.67% of the total discharge, removing 267.78 mg·cm^-2 of salt. The water balance error was 9.2% and the desalination rate was 33.89%. Considering the demand for water for crops and soil salinity dynamics, setting the irrigation water depth to 70 cm while maintaining the groundwater depth at approximately 220 cm can effectively reduce the soil salinity in the root zone. In sandy loam structures, the position of the loam layer has little effect on the critical evaporation depth of groundwater (150 cm), but significantly influences the stable evaporation depth and actual evaporation. If the loam layer is closer to the surface, the stable evaporation depth becomes shallower and the actual evaporation decreases. The findings provide a reference for preventing salinization and managing water resources in arid regions.

Using MODIS snow product data, this study investigates the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of the snowmelt period over the Mongolian Plateau during the 2003-2022 hydrological years. The movement of the snowmelt line toward higher latitudes and its response to air temperature are tracked and analyzed at 15-day intervals. The results show that: (1) The proportion of snow-covered area to the total area of the Mongolian Plateau during the 2003-2022 hydrological years ranged from 55.59% to 87.61%, with the smallest snow cover in 2018 and the largest in 2009. Additionally, over the past 20 years, the snowmelt start time on the Mongolian Plateau exhibited a significant advancing trend at a rate of 0.18 days per decade (P<0.05), while the stable snow-cover area showed a delaying trend. (2) Spatially, snowmelt occurred significantly later in northern regions of the Mongolian Plateau compared to southern regions. Stable snow-cover areas were primarily concentrated in the western Mongolia and northeastern Inner Mongolia, where snowmelt times were generally later. Approximately 64.9% of these areas showed an advancing trend in snowmelt, while regions with delaying trends were mainly distributed in the northwestern part of the study area. (3) Observational analysis at half-monthly scales from January during the winter season revealed that the movement of the snowmelt line demonstrated successive synchronicity with the -5 ℃ and 0 ℃ isotherms. Correlation coefficients between snowmelt line positions and temperature, except for the year 2018 (with the least snow cover), generally fell within the higher range of 0.72 to 0.98, indicating that temperature is a key factor influencing the position of the snowmelt line.

Assessing climate comfort in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia region is essential for the development of red tourism and the promotion of ecological sustainability. Using daily meteorological data from 1953 to 2020, including average temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity, this study applies a comprehensive climate comfort evaluation model integrated with GIS-based spatial interpolation and zoning methods to systematically analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of climate comfort in the region. The results show that, temporally, the climate is generally comfortable from May to September, while discomfort prevails from December to February. Spatially, northern Shaanxi exhibits relatively favorable climatic conditions, whereas the southwestern Xihaigu region is less suitable in terms of climate comfort. Under the influence of global warming, the annual average number of comfortable days has increased, whereas the number of uncomfortable days has significantly decreased since 2000. Comprehensive zoning results indicate that southwestern and central high-altitude areas experience lower comfort levels, while other regions remain relatively favorable. Further analysis reveals that for each unit change in the climate comfort index, the red tourism visitor flow index changes by 0.593%. Notably, Yan’an, due to its rich red tourism resources and favorable climate, has a significantly higher attractiveness index than other regions. Future red tourism planning should be dynamically optimized to address climate change and evolving tourist preferences. This study offers a scientific basis for regional tourism development and the sustainable advancement of red tourism. A scientific reference for regional tourism development and the sustainable advancement of red tourism activities.

The precipitation concentration index (PCI) is a measure of precipitation during the year. Based on the monthly precipitation data of 15 meteorological stations in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin (YZRB) from 1981 to 2024, the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of PCI, the amount of seasonal precipitation, its frequency and intensity over the last 44 years, and the reasons for a change in PCI were analyzed using a linear equation, Person coefficient, and five mutation tests, including the Mann-Kendall and Cramer tests. The results indicated that (1) The PCI increased from east to west in YZRB, whereas annual precipitation, precipitation frequency, and precipitation intensity decreased from east to west. (2) Over the past 44 years, the PCI decreased at a rate of -0.26 per decade, indicating a trend toward more evenly distributed monthly precipitation throughout the year. Precipitation exhibited an increasing trend from January to July and October (the fastest increase in July), and it decreased in other months (the most in September). Monthly precipitation accounted for the proportion of annual precipitation (MPAP), which increased in February and April-July (the largest in May). MPAP was decreased in other months (the largest decrease in September). (3) The increase of precipitation in spring, summer, and winter was primarily due to the increase in precipitation intensity, whereas the decrease of precipitation frequency played a major role in the decreased amount of precipitation during autumn. Furthermore, the increase in annual precipitation intensity resulted from the significant increase of the Tibetan Plateau-1 index and the western Pacific warm pool intensity index. The decrease in the PCI was related to a decrease in the seasonal difference under the background of warming. (4) The PCI was lower only in the 2000s, but was higher in the other three decades, although there was a sudden change in the early 1990s. The abrupt changes in annual precipitation, frequency, and intensity occurred during the first 10 years of the 2000s and the middle and late 1990s.

In recent years, many studies on sand and dust storms in Northwest China have mainly focused on large and regional scales, with less research on urban sand and dust storms. This paper studies the changing characteristics of urban sand and dust weather in Lanzhou City to understand the alteration characteristics of urban sand and dust storms. The results showed that (1) The number of days of floating dust, sand lifting, and dust storms in Lanzhou City from 2009 to 2023 showed multisegment fluctuation; the change at the time series level as a whole and the total number of days of sand and dust weather showed a marginal decrease of 0.66 d·a^-1. (2) The sand and dust weather in Lanzhou City was concentrated in the spring, declining monthly after the cliff rises in March, mainly dominated by floating dust, followed by sand and dust storms. (3) The annual average frequency of dusty weather in Lanzhou City from 2009 to 2023 correlated positively with wind speed, which is the main meteorological factor affecting dusty weather, weakly negatively correlated with relative humidity, and no obvious correlation with the rest of the meteorological factors. (4) The number of dusty days occurred in 3-time cycle scales of 2~3 a, 4~7 a, and 8~23 a, revealing a multisegmented nonsignificant fluctuation, of which 8~23 a corresponded to two peaks with the most substantial amplitude, which is the primary cycle of dusty fluctuation.

Global warming has resulted in the phenomenon of warming and wetting in northwest China. The Qilian Mountains is located in the arid region of northwest China, which spans the arid, semi-arid, and extremely arid climate zones from east to west. The climate has also obviously changed, which exerts a significant effect on the regional ecology and hydrological process. Based on the data of air temperature and precipitation in the Qilian Mountains and its surrounding areas from 1961 to 2022, this study analyzed the temporal and spatial variations of air temperature and precipitation in the Qilian Mountains and the relationship between precipitation and changes in precipitation with altitude. Results demonstrated a significant increase in temperature and precipitation in the Qilian Mountains in the past 60 years. The variation in temperature was the largest in the middle part of the Qilian Mountains, and the variation in precipitation was the largest in the east part of the Qilian Mountains, whereas the variation in precipitation was the smallest in the western part. The interannual variation in precipitation was the largest in August. The tendency rate of temperature increase in the Qilian Mountain area was approximately 0.36 ℃·(10a)^-1, which was higher than the national level of 0.21 ℃·(10a)^-1. The maximum temperature increase rate was observed in winter [0.45 ℃·(10a)^-1], particularly in the western region where it was 0.5 ℃·(10a)^-1. The maximum increase rate of precipitation was found in the middle region [11.86 mm·(10a)^-1]. Precipitation in the Qilian Mountains and surrounding areas increased with altitude, showing two peaks. One peak was located at an altitude of 2600-2800 m, and the other was located at an altitude of 3600-3800 m. However, the relationship between precipitation and altitude was generally unimodal for each mountain. Among the mountains, the windward slope of Daban Mountain had the largest precipitation, and Qinghai Nanshan Mountain had the smallest precipitation. The climate in the Qilian Mountains exhibited warming and humidification. The annual mean minimum temperature increased faster than the maximum temperature, and the minimum temperature increased most obviously in the western part of the Qilian Mountains. The rapid increase in the minimum temperature will exert an impact on the glaciers and ecosystems of the Qilian Mountains.

Water supply services sustain the survival and development of human society and are key to promoting the construction of China’s ecological civilization and the high-quality development of river basins. As a significant component of ecosystem services, it is central to ensuring the stability of watershed ecosystems and promoting the construction of ecological civilization in arid and semi-arid regions. This study focuses on the Ili River Valley in Xinjiang, analyzing the equilibrium characteristics of water supply and demand from 2005 to 2020. Using statistical yearbook and remote-sensing data, we apply models of water supply services, the water resources security index (FSI), and supply-demand matching analysis. The results indicate: (1) The FSI of the Ili River Valley fluctuates from “rising to falling,” and the supply-demand balance exhibits a three-stage evolution from “general deficit to general surplus to deficit persistence.” The spatial difference is significant: five counties and cities continue to deficit (i.e., Yining City, Yining County, Huocheng County, Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County, and Xinyuan County), while three counties and one city (i.e., Nilek County, Tekes County, Zhaosu County, and the city of Horgos [2020]) maintain the surplus that appeared in 2010 during the surplus inflection point. (2) The match between water supply and demand presents three dominant types: “low supply-high demand,” “low supply-low demand,” and “high supply-low demand.” The spatial distribution of supply-demand matching types is differentiated by gradients in the east, middle, and west. Counties and cities with the same matching types display spatial agglomeration and industrial convergence. They are significantly driven by the regional economic structure, which manifests in the following ways: the livestock areas with superior ecological fundamentals maintain a high supply capacity, while the arable land-intensive agricultural areas continue to face high demand pressure. To support regional sustainable development, this study analyzes county-level water supply-demand matching in the Ili River Valley, considering socioeconomic and natural geographic factors. Based on the analysis, ecological management zones—conservation, control, and improvement—are defined to promote integrated development, ecosystem sustainability, and efficient water resource use.

Ammopiptanthus nanus is an endangered evergreen shrub that is endemic to the desert area of Central Asia. It exhibits strong cold and drought resistance, serves as a model species for examining the mechanisms of plant adaptation to extreme environments, and is a focus of conservation research in desert biodiversity. In this study, black and green Ammopiptanthus nanus seeds were used to study the germination and viability of newly harvested seeds and their storage by three methods. The results indicated that the germination rate of the newly harvested seeds increased with an increase in temperature, and the viability of the newly harvested seeds reached 100%. There was a significant difference in the germination of seeds with the two colors under dry-cold and -hot storage conditions, with green seeds showing significantly higher germination rates compared with black seeds (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in germination under wet-cold storage conditions. Wet-cold storage promoted seed germination, whereas dry-cold and -hot storage resulted in inhibition. The three storage methods had little effect on the viability of either color seed, and viability after storage was >95%. Temperature and humidity are important ecological factors that influence seed germination and viability in Ammopiptanthus nanus. The difference in seed germination represents a strategy for adapting to harsh habitats, which is conducive to increasing its survival and reproduction ability. Wet-cold storage increases the seed germination rate and maintains viability, thus providing valuable technical guidance for the conservation of germplasm resources and nursery breeding.

To better understand the response mechanisms of seasonal changes in high-altitude areas to ecological and environmental factors amid global climate change, it is crucial to study the indicators of seasonal early or late and length grade duration classification in Xizang. In this study, we analyzed daily temperature data from 38 meteorological stations in Xizang (1981-2023) using temperature thresholds of 6 ℃, 17 ℃, 17 ℃ and 6 ℃ for four seasons, to explore the classification indices and evolution laws of seasonal early or late and length grade. The results revealed the following: (1) The average start dates for spring, summer, autumn, and winter at the 38 stations were April 21, June 17, July 17, and October 17, with average lengths of 56 d, 29 d, 92 d, and 188 d, respectively. (2) The start and end times, as well as the lengths of the climatic seasons, exhibit characteristics of minimum standard deviation in winter and maximum standard deviation in summer. (3) The start dates, end dates, and length of the climatic seasons, as well as the start and end times and length of the four seasons, showed the following patterns: Normal>slightly early (late) and early (late)>significantly early (late) and abnormally early (late). A indicator is more in line with the threshold of the classification indicators of early or late and length grade. (4) In Xizang, the onset of spring and summer trends was earlier, while autumn and winter had late trends. (5) The start date of spring, the end date of winter, and the length of summer across the 38 stations were primarily classified as normal, whereas the start dates of summer, autumn, and winter, along with the end dates of spring and autumn, were mainly categorized as early. Conversely, the lengths of spring and autumn were mainly classified as short, while winter was predominantly classified as long, and the end date of summer was primarily considered late. These findings provide valuable insights into climate resource management, ecological protection, and the overall impact on human production and life.

Stoichiometric homeostasis of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in the plant-soil-microbial continuum is crucial for the maintenance of nutrient cycling stability in fragile ecosystems. To address the challenges of imbalanced C:N:P stoichiometry in eolian sandy soils and the uncertain effects of organic amendments in the Horqin Sandy Land, this study conducted a field experiment to compare the impacts of biochar and straw additions on the stoichiometric characteristics of C, N, and P within an oat cultivation system. The experimental design included a control group (CK), biochar amendment treatments (low B1: 3%, medium B2: 5%, and high B3: 10% by mass), and straw amendment treatments (low S1: 3%, medium S2: 5%, and high S3: 10% by mass). Grounded in ecological stoichiometry and homeostasis theory, this study systematically analyzed the C:N:P response characteristics of oat plants, soil, and microbial communities. The results showed that (1) Biochar amendments (B2 and B3) significantly enhanced the C-N-P cycling efficiency of the oat system and demonstrated superior regulation over elemental allocation compared with straw addition. While biochar had negligible effects on C, N, and P content in oat shoots, it considerably increased these nutrients in the roots. Under the B3 treatment, root C, N, and P content increased by 45.2%, 65.2%, and 71.4%, respectively, relative to the control (CK), outperforming straw S3 by 28.7%, 60.2%, and 14.5%. Soil C, N, and P pools exhibited even greater responses: biochar B3 elevated soil C (240.2% vs. CK; 118.4% vs. S3), N (157.8% vs. CK; 81.4% vs. S3), and P (81.2% vs. CK; 17.5% vs. S3) contents. Microbial biomass followed a similar trend, with C, N, and P increasing by 95.3%, 88.7%, and 134.7% over CK, and by 61.2%, 21.7%, and 43.5% over S3, respectively. Additionally, biochar significantly reduced the C:N and C:P ratios in the shoots, roots, and microbial biomass while increasing these ratios in the soil. This bidirectional regulatory effect was not observed with straw treatment. (2) The homeostasis of oat roots under biochar and straw addition exhibited weaker stability and higher sensitivity to exogenous nutrient inputs compared with stems, leaves, and microorganisms. (3) The C, N, and P concentrations in the plants and microbial biomass of different organs of jasmine followed the order of C>N>P, and the C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios followed the order of N:P>C:P>C:N. Collectively, biochar amendments significantly enhanced the C sequestration capacity and elemental stoichiometric stability of the plant-soil-microbial continuum by improving the oat’s N and P assimilation efficiency. The high-dose biochar (B3 treatment) demonstrated the most pronounced effects. This study establishes a mechanistic foundation for sustainable management of sandy agroecosystems and provides practical guidelines for using biochar as a carbon-negative soil amendment in arid regions.

Drawing upon China’s comprehensive land use data and socioeconomic panel statistics spanning 1980-2020, this study meticulously analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of nonagricultural and nongrain farmland. It aimed to elucidate their underlying patterns of change and driving mechanisms, establishing a solid foundation for sustainable cultivated land utilization and stable food security. Utilizing the SD ellipse and trend analysis, we comprehensively assessed the dynamic evolution traits of these nontraditional agricultural uses. Furthermore, we constructed a comprehensive index system tailored for nonagricultural and nongrain farmlands and developed a partial correlation model to quantitatively assess the relative contributions of various influencing factors. This comprehensive approach offers a nuanced understanding of the intricate dynamics governing these farmland transitions and their implications for China’s agricultural sustainability and food security. (1) Regarding time, the current situation of nonagriculture farmland in China is getting better, but the nonagriculture phenomenon is still prominent in some areas and tends to intensify further. (2) Regarding space, the degree of nonagriculture is more serious in the northeast, central, and eastern regions, while it is higher in the northwest, south, and some coastal areas of southeast China. The polarization phenomenon exists in the direction of nonagricultural chemical evolution. The nongrain center exhibited a development trend of moving from the southwest to the northeast. (3) Economic factors are the leading driving effect of nonagricultural chemistry, and their degree of influence has decreased in the past ten years. Agricultural production condition is the basic factor of nongrain production, and it is gradually increased by economic factors, such as the output value of grain per acre and the income gap between urban and rural areas. The spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors of nonagricultural and nongrain lands in China from 1980 to 2020 can provide a reference for the scientific implementation of cultivated land protection decisions.

Based on the data from 19 sounding stations in 2022-2023, this study investigates the temporal and spatial variations of the temperature inversions in the lower, middle, and upper troposphere in northwest China. The results indicated the following: (1) In terms of monthly variations, inversions across all three tropospheric levels exhibit similar patterns, peaking in December and January-February of the following year and reaching a minimum from June to August. (2) In terms of spatial distribution, among the low-level inversions, low-level inversions were most frequent in northern Xinjiang, at 40%-60%; the greatest thickness of low-level inversions was observed in northern Shanxi, exceeding 90 m; the intensity of low-level inversions was stronger in most areas of Xinjiang, ranging from 2 ℃ and 3 ℃. For mid-level inversions, their frequency was highest in Qinghai and decrease outward from this region. High-level inversions were most pronounced in northern Xinjiang, with their frequency decreasing outward from this region. (3) The occurrence of low-level inversions in northwest China is influenced by surface radiation and topography, the occurrence of mid-level inversions is associated with warm advection and subsidence movement, and the occurrence of high-level inversions may be related to the top of the temperate troposphere and ozone. (4) In the summer of northwest China, influenced by solar radiation and surface cooling. below the 0 ℃ isotherm height, the intensity of inversions is stronger; above the 0 ℃ isotherm height, the inversions have weaker intensity.

The characteristics of variation in leaf functional traits of different plant types (shrubs, herbaceous plants) in Hexi Corridor and the relationships between these functional traits are extremely important for maintaining the stability of the ecosystem in this region. To explore the mechanisms of adaptation and the ecological strategies of different plant life forms in arid environments, we established survey sites in the eastern, central, and western sections along Hexi Corridor, following a gradient of decreasing natural precipitation from southeast to northwest. We selected 26 dominant desert plant species, including 14 shrubs and 12 herbaceous plants, and analyzed their variability and regional patterns of 14 key leaf functional traits. We also investigated the trade-offs and adaptive strategies among these traits. The following results were obtained: (1) The coefficient of variation for leaf-bound water content (BW), carbon to phosphorus ratio (C:P), plant height (H), and leaf free water content (FW) of dominant desert plant species in the Hexi Corridor exceeds 100%. (2) Plants in different regions of Hexi Corridor displayed diverse survival strategies: plants in the eastern section adopted a “slow-return” strategy, shrubs and herbaceous plants in the central section exhibited “slow-return” and “fast-return” strategies respectively, while shrubs in the western section adopted a “rapid resource acquisition” strategy under resource-rich conditions, and herbaceous plants adopted a “slow-return” strategy under unfavorable soil conditions. The survival strategies of plants are influenced by multiple ecological factors, and they adapt to arid environments through trait optimization and resource allocation.

Qingyang City is located in the loess plateau region of eastern Gansu Province, which is endowed with abundant natural resources and serves as one of the key zones for supplying energy to the country. It plays a crucial role in fostering development, safeguarding ecological integrity, promoting high-quality growth, and enhancing environmental protection within the western region. Exploring and analysing the ecological risk patterns and coupled the coordination of the production-living-ecological space landscapes is of profound significance. This study focused on Qingyang, located in the loess plateau region of eastern Gansu Province, employing methodologies such as land use transfer matrix analysis, landscape ecological risk assessment models, and coupling coordination degree models to investigate and analyze changes in land use structure from 2000 to 2020. This work also incorporated the patterns of landscape ecological risk, and the degree of coupling coordination among production-living-ecological space based on comprehensive evaluation. The following results were obtained: (1) Over the last two decades, the ecological and residential space in Qingyang City has consistently increased year after year, whereas the area designated for production has exhibited a gradual decline. (2) The overall landscape ecological condition of Qingyang City is in a low-risk state, and the distribution of the degree of risk is “low in the east and high in the west.” (3) The degree of coupling coordination of the production-living-ecological space is well developed and concentrated, presenting a distribution of “high in the south and low in the north.” The coupling coordination area is expanding continuously year by year, while the uncoordinated area is shrinking. (4) By analyzing the coupling coordination of the production-living-ecological space using natural and social economic factors, it is concluded that socioeconomic factors have a more significant impact on this. Therefore, the driving factors are integrated with the needs and characteristics of the production-living-ecological space, and the layout of the production-living-ecological space is optimized to facilitate the coordinated development of the ecological risk pattern of the landscape, enhance the regional ecological security of the landscape, and advance the sustainable development of the ecological economy of Qingyang City.

The classification of the ground substrate is a fundamental basis for conducting ground substrate surveys and monitoring. It reveals the synergistic coupling relationship between the ground substrate and the surface cover layer, which aids in understanding the mechanisms of interaction between the ground substrate and the ecological environment from both the surface cover and subsurface spatial elements. This study targeted the Sangong River Basin in Xinjiang, a typical inland river basin in an arid region. Based on the heterogenous distribution of the mountain-oasis-desert landscape in arid regions, a three-tier classification and zoning system for ground substrates was developed, considering the distribution area, elevation range, and main surface cover of the surface substrates. The overall classification was divided into four primary categories, 17 secondary categories, and 28 tertiary categories. Considering the physical and chemical properties of the soil and the distribution characteristics of vegetation root systems, the suitable survey depth for ground substrates in the southern mountainous area was 50 cm; in the central plain area, it was 3 m; and in the northern desert area, it was less than 10 m. Additionally, based on the differentiation characteristics of Net Primary Productivity in vertical zonal ecosystems, the rationality of the classification system was validated, reflecting the role of ground substrate layers in nurturing and supporting land cover. These results provide theoretical and technical support for future natural resource surveys, monitoring, and scientific management decisions in arid regions.

In arid areas, farmlands are few, water-holding capacity is poor, seepage is considerable, and crop yield is low. Understanding soil moisture movement in sandy loam farmland is crucial for conserving water resources and enhancing crop yields. This study focused on the sandy loam maize farmland in the middle reaches of the Heihe River, and three experimental plots—flat film irrigation, ridge mulching irrigation, and drip irrigation under film irrigation—were set up. The HYDRUS-2D model was used to simulate the soil moisture migration process of the maize farmland under different irrigation modes. The results revealed that: (1) The simulated values of the HYDRUS-2D model agreed strongly with the measured data, with R² reaching more than 0.864 and RMSE remaining below 0.006 cm³·cm^-3, which verified the feasibility and reliability of the model in the dynamic simulation of soil moisture in sandy loam farmland. (2) Compared with the flat land mulching irrigation mode, the ridge mulching irrigation mode could increase the soil volume water content of the crops’ root zone by about 20% and reduce the seepage loss by 13.3% when the irrigation water volume was reduced by 2099 m³·hm^-2. Compared with the flat land mulching irrigation mode, the drip irrigation mode under film irrigation could reduce the irrigation water consumption by 50% and the leakage by 50.7%. (3) The drip irrigation mode under film displayed “frequent irrigation and small amount” so that the water could be more directly and efficiently replenished in the crops’ root zone, which significantly improved the soil volume water content in the root zone of maize and further reduced the seepage. The sandy loam farmland in the middle reaches of the Heihe River should be irrigated by drip irrigation under film to save water and increase yield. (4) The HYDRUS-2D model’s parameter system can also provide a reference for the dynamic simulation of irrigation water in the same type of sandy loam farmland in northern China.

This study analyzes the spatial and temporal distribution, circulation patterns, and water vapor transport characteristics of a heavy precipitation event in Longnan City, Gansu Province, on July 10, 2020, using hourly precipitation observations and ERA5 reanalysis data. Additionally, atmospheric moisture energy (MSE) was introduced to investigate the unstable energy sources of convective activity, providing a new perspective for the re-evaluation and diagnosis of severe convective weather in the northwest region, as well as new reference indicators for business forecasting. The results show that: (1) The heavy precipitation exhibited high intensity, obvious locality, and strong convection. At 500 hPa, the plateau shortwave trough facilitated the convergence of cold and warm air, while at 700 hPa, the southerly airflow combined with cyclonic shear provided favorable conditions for water vapor transport and dynamic uplift. (2) The occurrence of heavy precipitation was accompanied by MSE charging and discharging. The MSE accumulates continuously before the peak of heavy precipitation, putting the atmosphere in a charging state. After peaking, the MSE significantly decreased, and the atmosphere was in a state of energy release. (3) The mechanisms of atmospheric charging differed by vertical height, with vertical MSE transport in the lower troposphere contributing positively, whereas horizontal advection contributing negatively. Horizontal advection, particularly meridional advection, positively contributed to the middle layer, whereas vertical transport contributed negatively. The increase in MSE transport in the upper troposphere is mainly driven by meridional advection. (4) The vertical transport of water vapor influenced the MSE in the lower troposphere, whereas the latent heat energy from water vapor controlled MSE in the middle layer. The meridional advection of water vapor increases the MSE due to abnormal southerly winds. High-level MSE is dominated by the internal energy term, and the main contribution to the increase in MSE is the meridional advection caused by the combination of westerly winds and temperature gradients that are warm in the west and cold in the east.

Explore the dominant environmental factors affecting the distribution of Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis and simulate its potential suitable distribution areas, to provide a theoretical basis for the cultivation, conservation, and development of its wild resources. Methods: The working characteristic curve and the area under the curve of the subject were used to evaluate the accuracy of the model. The dominant environmental factors were screened by comprehensive contribution rate and the knife cutting method and their suitable range were determined; The MaxEnt model was applied to simulate and predict the suitable (growth) areas and their dynamic changes under current and future climatic conditions. Results: (1) The model accuracy was high (AUC=0.953), which can effectively simulate the potential distribution of H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis. (2) Annual precipitation (325-650 mm), altitude (1200-3850 m), the average temperature during the coldest season (-7.25-1.25 ℃), and precipitation in the driest month (1-4 mm) were the leading environmental factors affecting its distribution. (3) It was mainly concentrated in Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xizang, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia with sporadic occurrences in Yunnan and Guizhou; future climate change will not only force its expansion to the northwest high latitude, high-altitude area, and the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau but also remarkably shrunk the southeast low latitude and low altitude distribution area; the overall distribution area increased. Altitude and hydrothermal conditions were the leading factors affecting the distribution of H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis. To cope with future climate change, the focus of its industry should be shifted to the northwest, middle, and high-altitude areas, and the reasonable development and utilization of its resources should be carried out to achieve sustainable development.

Accurate identification for ecological restoration is essential for promoting sustainable ecological development. Longnan City, as a crucial water source conservation area and ecological security barrier in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, plays a critical role in maintaining the regional ecological balance. This study used the InVEST model to evaluate ecosystem services and combined the morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) method with circuit theory to construct the ecological security pattern of Longnan City, then analyze its evolution. The results showed: (1) From 2000 to 2022, the number of ecological source areas increased, primarily distributed in the Kang County, Hui County, and Cheng County. The spatial distribution exhibited a pattern of higher density in the south and lower in the north. (2) The average resistance value first decreased then increased, while the length of ecological corridors initially increased and later decreased, during the study period with a net reduction of approximately 508.94 km. Spatially, the corridors shifted from central to southeastern regions. (3) Ecological bottleneck areas, primarily dominated by forests, croplands, and grasslands, were concentrated in low-resistance zones. Their total area decreased annually, with a net reduction of about 144.84 km² over the study period. Ecological obstacles also decreased in both number and area, mainly clustered in Wudu County, Li County, and Tanchang District. Thus, the research results provide a scientific foundation for the formulation of ecological restoration plans and promotion of high-quality regional economic development in Longnan City. The findings provide scientific support for formulating ecological restoration plans and promoting high-quality economic development in Longnan City.

With rapid socioeconomic development, competition between human activities and the natural environment has intensified significantly, making the balance between socioeconomic development and environmental protection critical. This study constructs a coupling coordination model for a water resources-socioeconomic-ecological environment system to assess the coordination status of the Inner Mongolia section in the Yellow River Basin from 1998 to 2022. Additionally, an improved LSTM model is employed to predict the development trends over the next five years under four integrated regulation scenarios. The results indicate that: (1) The evaluation indices of the water resources, socioeconomic, and ecological environment subsystems across cities in the Yellow River Basin are 0.47-0.57, 0.47-0.87, and 0.42-0.58, respectively, reflecting moderate overall coordination level in the water resources and ecological environment subsystems, whereas the socioeconomic subsystem exhibits relatively higher values but still has room for improvement. (2) The coupling coordination degree of the system in each city shows a gradual upward trend (0.67-0.80), with an overall increase of 19%. (3) Future scenario predictions reveal that joint regulation of water resources and socioeconomic factors leads to the most significant improvements in Alxa, Bayannur, and Ulanqab, whereas joint regulation of socioeconomic and ecological environment factors yields the greatest improvements in Wuhai. Meanwhile, joint regulation of water resources and the ecological environment proves most effective in Baotou, Hohhot, and Ordos.

Ecological restoration is a major project to implement China’s ecological civilization construction. Delineating zoning units is a prerequisite and an essential foundation for the differentiated implementation of land remediation and ecological restoration; it holds significant theoretical and guiding value for formulating differentiated restoration measures. Taking the Shanxi section of the Yellow River Basin as an example, this study introduces the GeoSOM (Geographic Self-Organizing Map) algorithm to perform spatial clustering for ecological restoration in the study area based on grid units. The Dunn index evaluated the effectiveness of the clustering and selected the optimal scheme. Finally, the Support Vector Machine (SVM) identified the boundaries of the ecological restoration zones, resulting in the delineation of the ecological restoration areas. The results indicate that, after the GeoSOM network spatial clustering, the study area was divided into four major categories according to the Dunn index evaluation, with each category exhibiting significant spatial differentiation characteristics. Based on the clustering results, the SVM identified ten ecological restoration zones, and ecological restoration strategies were proposed for each zone. This study improves the traditional SOM network, which emphasizes thematic attributes, by using the GeoSOM algorithm that measures the similarity of thematic and spatial attributes, making it more suitable for spatial clustering. The findings provide a new reference for methods of ecological restoration zoning.

Dust storms are a major weather hazard in arid and semiarid regions, causing significant harm to human health and welfare and productivity. This study examined a severe dust storm event in northwest China using surface observation data from the National Meteorological Information Center, MODIS satellite data, and urban air quality data from March 18 to 23, 2023. The study combined the HYSPLIT backward trajectory model and the WRF-Chem atmospheric chemistry model to examine the dust source and impact range, focusing on the mechanisms behind the severe dust storm at Zhangye, a central site along the transport path. The main findings were that the dust storm affected much of northern China in phases, with dust emissions occurring in distinct regions on March 19, 20, and 21, each with unique transport ranges and impact areas. Dust in the Hexi Corridor primarily originated from Jiuquan. WRF-Chem simulations showed that the highest PM₁₀ concentration occurred at Zhangye Station, reaching 6966.7 μg·m^-3 The dust event in Zhangye originated from upstream dust transport and local dust emission. First, near-surface intense northwesterly winds over 16 m·s^-1 near Jiuquan, under unstable atmospheric conditions, triggered upward movement, which lifted dust particles to high altitudes and transported them downstream, where they settled around 3-4 km above Zhangye. Second, before the arrival of upstream dust, Zhangye’s lower atmosphere exhibited instability, and the convergence of strong surface winds and wind direction triggered local dust uplift, further intensifying the dust storm.

Exploring the quantitative pre assessment of the climate impact of vegetation greenness changes in the Qaidam Basin can help promote the integrated protection and systematic management of mountains, waters, forests, fields, lakes, grasses, sands, and gases. This article is based on MODIS NDVI data, meteorological data, and climate change prediction datasets. It monitors the changes in vegetation greenness with NDVI ≤ 0.3 in the Qaidam Basin from 2000 to 2023, analyzes the climate driving factors of vegetation with different greenness, and predicts the future trends of vegetation changes with different greenness. The results showed that in the past 24 years, vegetation types Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ in the Qaidam Basin accounted for 49.33%, 19.81%, and 30.86% of low green vegetation, respectively. Among them, the vegetation areas of S_sum, S_Ⅰ, and S_Ⅱ decreased significantly (P<0.001), while the vegetation area of S_Ⅲ increased significantly, indicating a clear improvement in vegetation quality; The cumulative effect of water and heat conditions on precipitation of low green vegetation for 2-3 years and temperature for 5 years is significantly (P<0.01) greater than that of the current year, indicating that a warm and humid climate promotes the healthy development of grasslands; Under the three emission scenarios of RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5 in the future, the overall trend of low green vegetation in the Qaidam Basin is decreasing, and future climate conditions are favorable for vegetation restoration and expansion. The research results can provide scientific basis for the development of ecological environment protection and desertification control measures in the Qaidam Basin.

Based on the occurrence of resilience and the ability of cultivated land system to improve resilience, this study established a set of cultivated land system resilience evaluation index systems applicable to arid areas, with an aim to apply the resilience theory to the cultivated land system, evaluate the cultivated land system resilience and the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of Xinjiang in the past 20 years, and propose policy suggestions on the sustainable use of cultivated land in Xinjiang from the perspective of resilience. Using grid as a scale, the resilience level of the cultivated land system in Xinjiang was measured using the comprehensive index method. Results showed that (1) The cultivated land area of Xinjiang increased during 2000-2020, and it was primarily distributed in areas with abundant water resources. (2) The resilience of the cultivated land system in Xinjiang increased slightly, but the overall level was still low, and the spatial heterogeneity was strong. In the past 20 years, the area with high value exhibited a trend of shifting to the south, primarily distributed in the valley delta area formed by the alluvial river. (3) In the past 20 years, the resilience and adaptability of the Xinjiang cultivated land system have increased, but the transformation ability has decreased. Regarding spatial distribution, the resilience and transformation ability of the cultivated land system in southern Xinjiang continuously improved, and the adaptive ability basically demonstrated a distribution pattern of “high in the north and low in the south.” Due to the different factors affecting the resilience of the cultivated land system in different regions, the cultivated land-use system was divided into five zones according to the resilience of the cultivated land system in 2020, and the specific optimization plan was proposed to improve the corresponding ability.

Utilizing the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform, the Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of Ordos was calculated based on an improved CASA model. Sen’s slope analysis and MK trend analysis methods were used to analyze the spatiotemporal changes in NPP from 2001 to 2020 and estimate the carbon sequestration capacity of Ordos City. (1) NPP in Ordos City displayed a significant seasonal variation from 2001 to 2020, with the highest values in July and August and an average annual NPP of 78.04 g C·m^-2·a^-1, following an overall fluctuating upward trend. (2) Spatially, NPP demonstrated clear heterogeneity, with higher values in the northeast and lower values in the northwest; high values were concentrated in Dalate Banner and Jungar Banner, while low values were mainly in Hanggin Banner. (3) The implementation of ecological projects and NPP changes were not fully synchronized, with a general trend of initially slow then accelerating growth; NPP change rates significantly increased after 2011 in most areas, but areas with harsher ecological conditions, such as Hanggin Banner, exhibited a lower improvement and some lag. (4) In 2011, Ordos displayed a widespread negative carbon sequestration rate. Yet, by 2020, the spatial heterogeneity in carbon sequestration had significantly increased, with higher values in the east and lower values in the west. The carbon sequestration capacity in Hanggin Banner’s western region still requires reinforcement, while Dalate Banner significantly improved its carbon sequestration capacity.

The emerging use of photovoltaic power is aligned with the progression of the energy industry. In China, photovoltaic power plants are widely constructed in the arid areas of the northwest. The ecological environment in the arid areas of the northwest is relatively fragile, and the potential environmental impacts of photovoltaic power plants during operation are not yet fully revealed. In this research, a comprehensive analysis of the impact of photovoltaic power plant construction on the local atmosphere, soil, vegetation factors, and other elements of the ecological environment was performed on the research area of Tala photovoltaic power station in Gonghe County, Qinghai Province (the world’s largest photovoltaic industrial park). The analysis combined observational data on ecological indicators of the areas adjacent to photovoltaic panels and the open space for photovoltaic power plants from March 2023 to February 2024 with remote sensing data from 2000 to 2020. The results show that the construction of photovoltaic panels has the effects of warming, humidifying, increasing temperature extremes, and wind speed reducing on the local atmosphere. The average humidification was 3.87%, the wind speed was reduced by 0.25 m·s^-1, and the temperature extreme value changed by 1.72 ℃. The construction of photovoltaic panels also caused the effects of warming, reducing moisture, and reducing soil CO₂ content in the local soil, with an average temperature increase of 1.83 ℃, a decrease in humidity of 4.81%, and a reduction in soil CO₂ by 156.94 ppm. Finally, the construction of photovoltaic power plants promoted an increase in vegetation coverage and growth in the area, and had a positive promoting effect on the carbon fixation capacity of the ecosystem. The average growth rate of NDVI in the study area was faster than that in Hainan Prefecture; the difference was 0.001 kg C·m^-2·a^-1. The study shows that the operation of photovoltaic power plants can improve the environment in arid areas, by altering air humidification, soil warming, wind prevention, and sand fixation, promoting vegetation growth, and continuing to promote the local ecological environment.

Plant-based sand-fixing agents are ecofriendly materials that effectively stabilize sand without polluting the soil, and their decomposition products promote plant growth. This study investigated the physical characteristics of consolidated layers formed by plant-based sand-fixing agents and their effects on soil water movement in sandy farmland using water infiltration and evaporation simulation experiments with three plant-based sand-fixing agents (Artemisia desertorum, flax, and black locust) and six application rates (0.5 g·m^-2, 1.0 g·m^-2, 2.0 g·m^-2, 3.0 g·m^-2, 4.0 g·m^-2, and 5.0 g·m^-2). Wind-sand soil sprayed with the same amount of pure water served as the control (CK). The results showed the following: (1) The soil physical properties were altered. The compressive strength of the consolidated layer was in the order of black locust >flax >Artemisia desertorum>CK. The average compressive strength of the consolidated layer treated with the three agents increased by 109.38%, 95.06%, and 58.46% compared with CK, respectively. The compressive strength of the same agent increased with concentration. Soil bulk density increased with higher application rates, with a maximum increase of 3.76% compared with CK. Meanwhile, the total porosity and saturated and minimum water-holding capacity decreased by up to 44.55%, 47.65%, and 53.62%, respectively, compared with CK. (2) The water infiltration rate was effectively reduced. The infiltration times were as follows: flax (29.53 min)≈black locust (29.52 min) >Artemisia desertorum (29.03 min) >CK (26.08 min). As the application rate increased, the infiltration time showed a U-shaped trend for black locust and flax agents, whereas Artemisia desertorum increased gradually. (3) The soil water evaporation rates were significantly reduced. For all three agents, the application rates of 2.0-4.0 g·m^-2 demonstrated the most pronounced effects. (4) Application rates of 2.0-4.0 g·m^-2 improved water retention and prevented excessively slow water infiltration. This study provides theoretical support for the exploration of new sand-fixing agents and their application in the prevention of wind erosion in sandy farmland soils.

Xinjiang features a unique mountain-oasis-desert ecological system, in which the surface water body plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance and supporting regional socioeconomic development. This study used Landsat 5, 7, 8, and 9 satellite remote sensing images and a mixed index algorithm to estimate Xinjiang’s surface water area from 1990 to 2023 for analysis of its spatial patterns and changes over time. Geographic detector methods were used to identify the factors influencing changes in the surface water area. The findings revealed that between 1990 and 2023, the area of the permanent water body in Xinjiang increased by 36.25% (2466.20 km²), driven primarily by the mountain water body. Notably, the inland river basins of the Qiangtang Plateau expanded significantly by approximately two-thirds (1149.58 km²). The seasonal water bodies, mainly consisting of the oasis-desert water body, also rose by 181.90% (1924.84 km²), with the mainstream Tarim River nearly doubling in area (344.92 km²). Changes in mountain water bodies were largely influenced by climatic factors, with the snow water equivalent contributing the highest average rate (42.84%). In contrast, human activities had a more substantial impact on the oasis-desert water body, with population density and cultivated land exhibiting average contribution rates of 64.10% and 54.43%, respectively. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the temporal and spatial changes in Xinjiang’s surface water body and their driving factors, thereby offering critical scientific insights for assessing water resource development potential and formulating effective water resource management strategies in the region.

This study was conducted to predict the distribution of potential suitable area and the impact of climate change and to determine the appropriate distribution range in the future, which could provide a reference for the protection of Pinus bungeana and its utilization in ecological engineering construction. Based on 83 wild distribution sites of P. bungeana and climate factor data, the MaxEnt model and ArcGIS software were used to simulate the potential suitable zone distribution of P. bungeana under the present and three climate change scenarios (SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585) (2080-2100, low-level, medium-level, and high greenhouse gas emission scenarios). In the MaxEnt model simulation, the AUC (area value under the subject operating characteristic curve) was >0.973, and the prediction results were highly accurate. Under the present climate conditions, the potential suitable areas of P. bungeana were primarily distributed in Shaanxi Province, southern Shanxi Province, southeastern Gansu Province, northwestern Henan Province, and northwestern Hubei Province, with a total area of approximately 74.5×10⁴ km², under the background of future climate change. The core suitable distribution areas were reduced to different degrees, with temperature being the primary limiting factor for the distribution of the potential growth zones of P. bungeana. Under low and medium greenhouse gas emission scenarios, temperature still remained the limiting factor for the distribution of the potential growth zones of P. bungeana. Under the high greenhouse gas emission scenario, the global temperature increased faster, and rainfall was the major limiting factor affecting the distribution of the suitable area of P. bungeana. The centroid of the suitable area of P. bungeana shifted eastward, especially being more sensitive under the high emission concentration of greenhouse gases, and the migration distance was farther. This study proposes the protection of P. bungeana, and the results provide a reference for ecological engineering construction using P. bungeana.

Exploring the transition situation of land use in ecologically significant but underdeveloped areas is crucial for promoting urban-rural integration and achieving regional sustainable development. Using the land use data from five time points in Gansu Province from 2000 to 2020, this study analyzed the quantitative distribution, spatial patterns, and mutual transfer of land use types. The Future Land Use Simulation model was used to simulate the land use transformation under four scenarios of inertia development, urban-rural integration, planning constraints, and ecological restoration in 2035. The study found that: (1) The main land use types in Gansu Province are cultivated land, grassland, and unused land, exhibiting significant regional heterogeneity in spatial distribution. The comprehensive land use dynamics initially increased, then decreased, before increasing again. (2) Under the influence of the continuous promotion of the Western Development Strategy and the policy of returning farmland to forest and grassland, the land use transition in the Gansu Province is mainly manifested in the transfer of cultivated land to grassland and woodland, and the transfer of construction land to cultivated land and grassland. (3) Under the two scenarios of urban-rural integration and planning constraints, the results of land use simulation are reasonable, considering cultivated land protection and regional ecological environment restoration, which can meet the needs of future development. This study provides a valuable reference for land governance and spatial planning in Gansu Province.

The damaging pest Agrilus viduus Kerremans was recorded for the first time in Ili Prefecture, Xinjiang. This pest has entered the core area of wild fruit forest, where it has damaged wild apples and wild apricots. Through field surveys, fixed-point observations, and laboratory rearing, the distribution range, life history, damage characteristics, and host plants of this pest in the wild fruit forest area were preliminarily studied. This pest is distributed in Xinyuan County, Gongliu County, Huocheng County, and Tekes County and has entered the wild fruit forests of Xinyuan County, Gongliu County, and Huocheng County. In terms of its reproduction, this pest exhibits one generation per year, starts to be active in the first half of May and begins to emerge in early July, with the peak emergence period in late July. Adult insects start to lay eggs in mid-July, and the emergence process ends in early August. In early November, the second-and third-instar larvae begin to overwinter. The damage mainly takes the form of larvae boring into the phloem, cambium, and xylem of host plants. When substantial infestation occurs, death of the host can occur. This pest can damage wild apricots, wild apples, and some other economically important fruit trees in the wild fruit forest. The oviposition characteristics of this pest are rather special. Eggs are laid in clusters on the bark surface and then covered with secretions to form egg cases. The distribution of this species’ egg cases is highly correlated with the height of apricot trees, with them mainly being found at heights of 120-240 cm; the distribution of the egg cases is also related to the basal diameter, being found mainly on branches with diameters of 2-3 cm. A literature review and field investigation revealed that this insect is a pest that has been newly introduced into the wild fruit forest of Xinjiang, posing a significant threat and requiring the attention of local authorities. There is an urgent need for physical control, biological control, and chemical control methods to be applied to eradicate it in accordance with its biological characteristics.

Atmospheric Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV) is an important indicator to characterize the water vapor content in the atmosphere, and clarifying the conversion mechanism between PWV and precipitation is of great significance for efficient water resource utilization. This paper takes Xinjiang as the study area, calculates PWV based on multi-source data, and evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of ERA5 global atmospheric reanalysis data for calculating PWV using radiosounde data as reference, and reveals the conversion relationship between PWV and precipitation with the help of Precipitation Conversion Efficient (PCE). The results show that (1) The PWV calculated by ERA5 has a high accuracy, with correlation coefficients and root mean square errors of 0.98 and 2.6 mm, respectively, compared to the PWV determined by traditional radiosounde data dependent methods. (2) Overall increasing trend of PWV in Xinjiang from 1960-2020, with an increase of 0.1 mm·(10a)^-1; the wavelet spectrum shows that the period of PWV change in the study area is dominated by the short period, which is 2.6 a and 6 a, respectively. (3) From a point perspective, PCE increases with increasing precipitation at the station. From a line perspective, the pattern of change in PCE is “U” type in the direction of longitude and roughly “L” type in the direction of latitude. At the surface scale, the high value areas of PCE were mainly distributed in the forested land, the slope range of 25°-35° and the area above 5000 m above sea level, which were 7.17%, 5.8% and 5.1%, respectively. (4) Typical years of precipitation abundance anomalies vary significantly in PCE, with exceptionally abundant years with strong convergence and strong upward movement of water vapor giving rise to higher PCE, and flat and dry water years with lower PCE. (5) Arctic Oscillation Index and Pacific Decadal Oscillation are the main factors affecting the PCE in the whole of Xinjiang, and there are some differences in the PCE controlled factors among different regions due to differences in climate and topography. The results of the study can provide theoretical references for airborne water resource utilisation and precipitation conversion assessment in Xinjiang.

The Yellow River Basin is an important ecologically fragile area in China. The clarification of the relationship between different levels of precipitation, precipitation days, and precipitation intensity in the basin is important to characterize the precipitation patterns in the basin. Using precipitation data collected from 96 meteorological stations in the Yellow River Basin from 1960 to 2020, the spatial and temporal variation characteristics of different grades of precipitation in the basin were analyzed using mathematical statistics and Pearson correlation analysis, and the contribution and impact of different grades of precipitation on the total precipitation were discussed. In the studied recent 61-year period, the annual precipitation and precipitation intensity in the Yellow River Basin followed increasing trends with rates of 0.008 mm·(10a)^-1 and 0.12 mm·d^-1·(10a)^-1, respectively. The number of precipitation days followed a decreasing trend with a rate of -1.82 d·(10a)^-1. The rainfall and days of light rain and moderate rain followed a downward trend; the amount and number of days of heavy rain, rainstorm, and heavy rainstorm followed an upward trend, and the precipitation intensity of each grade followed an increasing trend. Over the recent 61-year studied period, the highest occurrence rate of light rain was 84.32%, with the highest contribution rate from light rain (37.64%) followed by moderate rain (34.47%). The occurrence rate and contribution rate of light rain followed decreasing trends, whereas the occurrence rate and contribution rate of precipitation of heavy rain followed increasing trends. The areas with high values of light precipitation, light precipitation days, and light precipitation intensity were mainly concentrated in the southwest of the basin. As the precipitation level increased, the areas with high precipitation, precipitation days, and precipitation intensity were mainly concentrated in the southeast of the basin. Correlation analysis revealed that the annual precipitation of the Yellow River Basin was strongly affected by moderate and heavy rainfall, the annual precipitation days were strongly affected by the light rain days, and the annual precipitation intensity was strongly affected by the amount of heavy rain, rainstorm, and precipitation days. These findings can support ecological protection in the basin.

In this study, three typical sand-fixing plants in the desert-oasis transition zone were used as the research objects. To simulate water infiltration of 10 L, 15 L, and 20 L, respectively (simulating light rain, moderate rain, and heavy rain), the field staining tracer method and computer image processing technology were used. The distribution rules and characteristic parameters of the priority flow in the vertical and horizontal sections of the dyed images were analyzed, and the characteristic parameters were selected as evaluation indexes. The mean square decision method was used to determine the degree of development of the soil priority flow in the root zone of typical sand-fixation plants, which provided a reference for the restoration of sand-fixation vegetation and effective utilization of water resources in the desert-oasis transition zone. The results showed that (1) Soil preferential flow occurred in the root zone of sand-fixing plants in the desert-oasis transition zone, and the main types were funnel flow and finger flow. When infiltration water water was increased, the preferential flow occurred laterally. (2) Under the various conditions of water infiltration, the soil staining area ratio in the root zone of the three sand-fixing plants showed a nonlinear decrease with an increase in soil depth. The curve of the soil staining area ratio in the root zone of Haloxylon sacralis and Jujube sacralis showed an “S” shape, and the water infiltration was non-uniform. (3) The priority flow evaluation index P_FI was from large to small: Haloxell (0.685), Sphaerophora sphaerophora (0.543), and Hippophora hippophobia (0.502). The degree of priority flow development of the soil in the root zone was the highest.