The division of arid areas is important in water and land resources management, planning and for a long-term agricultural, economic and social planning. Northwest China （NW） dominates the main arid areas in China. T...The division of arid areas is important in water and land resources management, planning and for a long-term agricultural, economic and social planning. Northwest China （NW） dominates the main arid areas in China. There is thus a need to adopt adequate concepts relative to the scope of arid areas of NW China and identify its climate types and characteristics. In this study, we analyzed climatic data over the last 30 years （1981-2010） from 191 stations in three provinces and three autonomous regions of NW China. The factor-cluster analysis technique （FC）, an objective and automated method was employed to classify the dry/wet climate zones. The traditional methods with predefined thresholds were adopted for providing a comparison with FC. The results showed that the wet/dry climate zones by FC were mainly distributed along mountains, rivers and desert borders. Climate-division boundaries relied heavily on the major terrain features surrounding the grouped stations. It also showed that the climate was dry in the plain sandy areas but relatively wet in the high mountain areas. FC method can reflect the climate characteristics more fully in NW China with varied and complicated topography, and outperform the tradi- tional climate classifications. Arid areas of NW China were defined as four climate types, including five resultant classes in FC classifications. The Qinling and Da Hinggan Mountains were two important boundaries, besides main administrative boundaries. The results also indicated that there are some differences between two traditional clas- sifications. The precipitation moved and fluctuated to an extent, which confirmed that climate change played an important role in the dry/wet climate zoning, and the boundaries of dry/wet climate zones might change and migrate with time. This paper is expected to provide a more in-depth understanding on the climate characteristics in arid areas of NW China, and then contribute to formulate reasonable water and land management planning and agri- cultural production programs.展开更多
Furrow irrigation with film-mulched agricultural beds is being promoted in the arid region of northwest China because it improves water utilization. Two-dimensional infiltration patterns under film-mulched furrows can...Furrow irrigation with film-mulched agricultural beds is being promoted in the arid region of northwest China because it improves water utilization. Two-dimensional infiltration patterns under film-mulched furrows can provide guidelines and criteria for irrigation design and operation. Our objective was to investigate soil water dynamics during ponding irrigation infiltration of mulched furrows in a cross-sectional ridge-furrow configuration, using laboratory experiments and mathematical simulations. Six experimental treatments, with two soil types （silt loam and sandy loam）, were investigated to monitor the wetting patterns and soil water distribution in a cuboid soil chamber. Irrigation of mulched furrows clearly increased water lateral infiltration on ridge shoulders and ridges, due to enhancement of capillary driving force. Increases to both initial soil water content （SWC） and irrigation water level resulted in increased wetted soil volume. Empirical regression equations accurately estimated the wetted lateral distance （Rl） and downward distance （Rd） with elapsed time in a variably wetted soil medium. Optimization of model parameters followed by the Inverse approach resulted in satisfactory agreement between observed and predicted cumulative infiltration and SWC. On the basis of model calibration, HYDRUS-2D model can accurately simulate two-dimensional soil water dynamics under irrigation of mulched furrows. There were significant differences in wetting patterns between unmulched and mulched furrow irrigation using HYDRUS-2D simulation. The Rd under the mulched furrows was 32.14% less than the unmulched furrows. Therefore, film-mulched furrows are recommended in a furrow irrigation system.展开更多
Root zone maximum water deficit(S_(Rmax))refers to the maximum water consumption of the root zone during drought,which directly influences the partitioning of precipitation between infiltration and runoff.It is a key ...Root zone maximum water deficit(S_(Rmax))refers to the maximum water consumption of the root zone during drought,which directly influences the partitioning of precipitation between infiltration and runoff.It is a key parameter in land surface hydrological modeling.Since the implementation of the Grain-for-Green Project(GFG)on the Loess Plateau(LP),vegetation restoration has achieved significant success,resulting in the“greening”of LP while simultaneously reducing surface runoff.However,the lack of consideration for the root zone,a key link between terrestrial ecological and hydrological processes,has hindered understanding of ecohydrological mechanisms and limited comprehensive assessments of regional water resource management and ecological engineering outcomes.This study analyzes the spatiotemporal dynamic of S_(Rmax)on the LP from 1982 to 2018 using multi-source datasets and the Mass Curve Technique.Additionally,we employ a hybrid machine learningstatistical attribution model to quantify the contributions of land use and climate change to the S_(Rmax) dynamic.The results indicate an average S_(Rmax)of 85.3 mm across the LP,with significant variations among land use types:natural forest(116.3 mm)>planted forest(104.6 mm)>grassland(87.0 mm)>cropland(78.8 mm).Following the implementation of GFG,S_(Rmax)increased by 37.7%,with an upward trend observed across all land use types,particularly in changed land type,which experienced the largest increases.The attribution model achieved a coefficient of determination(R^(2))of 0.92.The key factors driving S_(Rmax) variation varied by land use type:in unchanged land type,climate change accounted for 53.8%of the S_(Rmax)increase,whereas land use change explained 71.3%of the increase in changed land type,with GFG contributing 52.1%.These findings provide a scientific basis for enhancing drought resilience and implementing the“Water-for-Greening”strategy on the LP and similar regions under changing environmental conditions.展开更多
Xinjiang,one of China's most water-scarce provinces,produces 25% of the world's cotton.However,changes in water consumption of cotton production in Xinjiang under two climate change scenarios is unclear.This s...Xinjiang,one of China's most water-scarce provinces,produces 25% of the world's cotton.However,changes in water consumption of cotton production in Xinjiang under two climate change scenarios is unclear.This study considered three irrigation techniques(i.e.,furrow,micro(drip)and sprinkler irrigation)and simulated the blue and green water footprints of cotton production in Xinjiang at a 5-arcmin grid level in response to climate change scenarios in the 2050s and 2090s.Taking the period 2000-2018 as the baseline,results showed that this footprint of cotton in Xinjiang for the baseline period was 4264 m^(3)·t^(-1),with blue water accounting for 83%.Under climate change scenarios,Xinjiang was predicted to have an increasing drought trend and intensifying pressure on water resources.Owing to increased CO_(2)concentrations,the water footprint of cotton tended to decrease by 19.3% and 35.7% under two Shared Socioeconomic Pathway scenarios—SSP2-4.5,representing a moderate socioeconomic development path with lower emissions,and SSP5-8.5,indicating a scenario of high growth with higher emissions—respectively,for the 2090s.The blue water footprint was predicted to have an overall decrease.However,its proportion of the total would increase slightly,with the highest increase being 3.4%.The green water footprint was also predicted to have decreasing trend,with reductions of33.7%(SSP2-4.5)and 47.2%(SSP5-8.5),respectively.Of the three irrigation techniques,sprinkler irrigation was predicted to have the greatest water conservation potential,with a reduction of up to 40.1%.展开更多
An evaluation of the interactions between vegetation,overland and soil erosion can provide valuable insight for the conservation of soil and water.An experiment was conducted to study water infiltration,runoff generat...An evaluation of the interactions between vegetation,overland and soil erosion can provide valuable insight for the conservation of soil and water.An experiment was conducted to study water infiltration,runoff generation process,rate of sediment erosion,and hydrodynamic characteristics of overland flow from a sloping hillside with different draw-off discharges from alfalfa and control plots with 20°slope.The effect of alfalfa on runoff and sediment transport reduction was quantitatively analyzed.Alfalfa was discussed for its ability to reduce the overland flow scouring force or change the runoff movement.Compared to the bare-soil plots,alfalfa plots generated a 1.77 times increase in infiltration rate.Furthermore,the down-slope water infiltration rate for the bare soil plots was higher than in the up-slope,while the opposite was found in the alfalfa plots.In addition,alfalfa had a significant effect on runoff and sediment yield.In comparison to the control,the runoff coefficient and sediment transportation rate decreased by 28.3%and 78.4%in the grass slope,respectively.The runoff generated from the alfalfa and bare-soil plots had similar trends with an initial increase and subsequent leveling to a steady-state rate.The transport of sediment reduced with time as a consequence of the depletion of loose surface materials.The maximum sediment concentration was recorded within the first few minutes of each event.The alfalfa plots had subcritical flow while the baresoil plots had supercritical flow,which indicate that the capability of the alfalfa slope for resisting soil erosion and sediment movement was greater than for bare soil plots.Moreover,the flow resistance coefficient and roughness coefficient for the alfalfa plots were both higher than for the bare-soil plots,which indicate that overland flow in alfalfa plots had retarded and was blocked,and the flow energy along the runoff path had gradually dissipated.Finally,the ability to erode and transport sediment had decreased.展开更多
The implementation of large-scale vegetation restoration over the Chinese Loess Plateau has achieved clear improvements in vegetation fraction,as evidenced by large areas of slopes and plains being restored to grassla...The implementation of large-scale vegetation restoration over the Chinese Loess Plateau has achieved clear improvements in vegetation fraction,as evidenced by large areas of slopes and plains being restored to grassland or forest.However,such large-scale vegetation restoration has altered land-atmosphere exchanges of water and energy,as the land surface characteristics have changed.These variations could affect regional climate,especially local precipitation.Quantitatively evaluating this feedback is an important scientific question in hydrometeorology.This study constructs a coupled land-atmosphere model incorporating vegetation dynamics,and analyzes the spatio-temporal changes of different land use types and land surface parameters over the Loess Plateau.By considering the impacts of vegetation restoration on the water-energy cycle and on land-atmosphere interactions,we quantified the feedback effect of vegetation restoration on local precipitation across the Loess Plateau,and discussed the important underlying processes.To achieve a quantitative evaluation,we designed two simulation experiments,comprising a real scenario with vegetation restoration and a hypothetical scenario without vegetation restoration.These enabled a comparison and analysis of the net impact of vegetation restoration on local precipitation.The results show that vegetation restoration had a positive effect on local precipitation over the Loess Plateau.Observations show that precipitation on the Loess Plateau increased significantly,at a rate of 7.84 mm yr^(-2),from 2000 to 2015.The simulations show that the contribution of large-scale vegetation restoration to the precipitation increase was about 37.4%,while external atmospheric circulation changes beyond the Loess Plateau contributed the other 62.6%.The average annual precipitation under the vegetation restoration scenario over the Loess Plateau was 12.4%higher than that under the scenario without vegetation restoration.The above research results have important theoretical and practical significance for the ecological protection and optimal development of the Loess Plateau,as well as the sustainable management of vegetation restoration.展开更多
Water shortage has become a significant constraint to grain production in China.A more holistic approach is needed to understand the links between grain production and water consumption.Water footprint provides a fram...Water shortage has become a significant constraint to grain production in China.A more holistic approach is needed to understand the links between grain production and water consumption.Water footprint provides a framework to assess water utilization in agriculture production.This paper analyzes the spatiotemporal variation in water footprint of grain production(WFGP)in China from 1951 to 2010.The results show that,jointly motivated by the improvement of agricultural production and water use efficiency,WFGP in all areas showed a decreasing trend.National average WFGP has decreased from 3.38 to 1.31 m^(3)·kg^(–1).Due to regional differences in agricultural production and water use efficiency,spatial distribution of WFGP varies significantly and its pattern has changed through time.Moreover,WFGP may show significant differences within areas of similar climatic conditions and agricultural practices,indicating that there is a strong need to improve the management of water use technology.Statistical analysis revealed that regional differences in grain yield are the main cause for variations in spatiotemporal WFGP.However,the scope for further increases in grain yield is limited,and thus,the future goal of reducing WFGP is to decrease the water use per unit area.展开更多
Agriculture in water-limited areas is an integral part of regional and global food security.Indeed,food production has increased dramatically in the arid and semiarid areas thanks to the advances in agronomy,genetics ...Agriculture in water-limited areas is an integral part of regional and global food security.Indeed,food production has increased dramatically in the arid and semiarid areas thanks to the advances in agronomy,genetics and engineering.Irrigation technology,fertilizers and pesticides,and soil management have revolutionized agriculture in water-limited areas.However,water scarcity remains the greatest challenge for agriculture and usually is also the cause for other socioeconomic and environmental problems.Moreover,water scarcity in an area often coexists with low water展开更多
基金supported by the Special Foundation of National Science & Technology Supporting Plan (2011BAD29B09)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31172039)+2 种基金the ‘111’ Project from the Ministry of Edu- cation and the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (B12007)the Supporting Project of Young Technology Nova of Shaanxi Province (2010KJXX-04)the Supporting Plan of Young Elites and basic operational cost of research from Northwest A&F University
文摘The division of arid areas is important in water and land resources management, planning and for a long-term agricultural, economic and social planning. Northwest China （NW） dominates the main arid areas in China. There is thus a need to adopt adequate concepts relative to the scope of arid areas of NW China and identify its climate types and characteristics. In this study, we analyzed climatic data over the last 30 years （1981-2010） from 191 stations in three provinces and three autonomous regions of NW China. The factor-cluster analysis technique （FC）, an objective and automated method was employed to classify the dry/wet climate zones. The traditional methods with predefined thresholds were adopted for providing a comparison with FC. The results showed that the wet/dry climate zones by FC were mainly distributed along mountains, rivers and desert borders. Climate-division boundaries relied heavily on the major terrain features surrounding the grouped stations. It also showed that the climate was dry in the plain sandy areas but relatively wet in the high mountain areas. FC method can reflect the climate characteristics more fully in NW China with varied and complicated topography, and outperform the tradi- tional climate classifications. Arid areas of NW China were defined as four climate types, including five resultant classes in FC classifications. The Qinling and Da Hinggan Mountains were two important boundaries, besides main administrative boundaries. The results also indicated that there are some differences between two traditional clas- sifications. The precipitation moved and fluctuated to an extent, which confirmed that climate change played an important role in the dry/wet climate zoning, and the boundaries of dry/wet climate zones might change and migrate with time. This paper is expected to provide a more in-depth understanding on the climate characteristics in arid areas of NW China, and then contribute to formulate reasonable water and land management planning and agri- cultural production programs.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO. 41401036)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (NO. 2015T81070, 2014M560818)West Light Foundation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
文摘Furrow irrigation with film-mulched agricultural beds is being promoted in the arid region of northwest China because it improves water utilization. Two-dimensional infiltration patterns under film-mulched furrows can provide guidelines and criteria for irrigation design and operation. Our objective was to investigate soil water dynamics during ponding irrigation infiltration of mulched furrows in a cross-sectional ridge-furrow configuration, using laboratory experiments and mathematical simulations. Six experimental treatments, with two soil types （silt loam and sandy loam）, were investigated to monitor the wetting patterns and soil water distribution in a cuboid soil chamber. Irrigation of mulched furrows clearly increased water lateral infiltration on ridge shoulders and ridges, due to enhancement of capillary driving force. Increases to both initial soil water content （SWC） and irrigation water level resulted in increased wetted soil volume. Empirical regression equations accurately estimated the wetted lateral distance （Rl） and downward distance （Rd） with elapsed time in a variably wetted soil medium. Optimization of model parameters followed by the Inverse approach resulted in satisfactory agreement between observed and predicted cumulative infiltration and SWC. On the basis of model calibration, HYDRUS-2D model can accurately simulate two-dimensional soil water dynamics under irrigation of mulched furrows. There were significant differences in wetting patterns between unmulched and mulched furrow irrigation using HYDRUS-2D simulation. The Rd under the mulched furrows was 32.14% less than the unmulched furrows. Therefore, film-mulched furrows are recommended in a furrow irrigation system.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant Nos.2024YFE0113200,2024YFC3213700)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42122002,42471040,and 42071081)。
文摘Root zone maximum water deficit(S_(Rmax))refers to the maximum water consumption of the root zone during drought,which directly influences the partitioning of precipitation between infiltration and runoff.It is a key parameter in land surface hydrological modeling.Since the implementation of the Grain-for-Green Project(GFG)on the Loess Plateau(LP),vegetation restoration has achieved significant success,resulting in the“greening”of LP while simultaneously reducing surface runoff.However,the lack of consideration for the root zone,a key link between terrestrial ecological and hydrological processes,has hindered understanding of ecohydrological mechanisms and limited comprehensive assessments of regional water resource management and ecological engineering outcomes.This study analyzes the spatiotemporal dynamic of S_(Rmax)on the LP from 1982 to 2018 using multi-source datasets and the Mass Curve Technique.Additionally,we employ a hybrid machine learningstatistical attribution model to quantify the contributions of land use and climate change to the S_(Rmax) dynamic.The results indicate an average S_(Rmax)of 85.3 mm across the LP,with significant variations among land use types:natural forest(116.3 mm)>planted forest(104.6 mm)>grassland(87.0 mm)>cropland(78.8 mm).Following the implementation of GFG,S_(Rmax)increased by 37.7%,with an upward trend observed across all land use types,particularly in changed land type,which experienced the largest increases.The attribution model achieved a coefficient of determination(R^(2))of 0.92.The key factors driving S_(Rmax) variation varied by land use type:in unchanged land type,climate change accounted for 53.8%of the S_(Rmax)increase,whereas land use change explained 71.3%of the increase in changed land type,with GFG contributing 52.1%.These findings provide a scientific basis for enhancing drought resilience and implementing the“Water-for-Greening”strategy on the LP and similar regions under changing environmental conditions.
基金financially supported by the Program for Cultivating Outstanding Talents on Agriculture,Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs,China(13210321)。
文摘Xinjiang,one of China's most water-scarce provinces,produces 25% of the world's cotton.However,changes in water consumption of cotton production in Xinjiang under two climate change scenarios is unclear.This study considered three irrigation techniques(i.e.,furrow,micro(drip)and sprinkler irrigation)and simulated the blue and green water footprints of cotton production in Xinjiang at a 5-arcmin grid level in response to climate change scenarios in the 2050s and 2090s.Taking the period 2000-2018 as the baseline,results showed that this footprint of cotton in Xinjiang for the baseline period was 4264 m^(3)·t^(-1),with blue water accounting for 83%.Under climate change scenarios,Xinjiang was predicted to have an increasing drought trend and intensifying pressure on water resources.Owing to increased CO_(2)concentrations,the water footprint of cotton tended to decrease by 19.3% and 35.7% under two Shared Socioeconomic Pathway scenarios—SSP2-4.5,representing a moderate socioeconomic development path with lower emissions,and SSP5-8.5,indicating a scenario of high growth with higher emissions—respectively,for the 2090s.The blue water footprint was predicted to have an overall decrease.However,its proportion of the total would increase slightly,with the highest increase being 3.4%.The green water footprint was also predicted to have decreasing trend,with reductions of33.7%(SSP2-4.5)and 47.2%(SSP5-8.5),respectively.Of the three irrigation techniques,sprinkler irrigation was predicted to have the greatest water conservation potential,with a reduction of up to 40.1%.
基金This work was supported by the“111”Project of the Ministry of Education in China(No.111-2-16)Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education(No.20100204120017)National High Technology Research and Development(863 Program)of China(No.2011AA100503).
文摘An evaluation of the interactions between vegetation,overland and soil erosion can provide valuable insight for the conservation of soil and water.An experiment was conducted to study water infiltration,runoff generation process,rate of sediment erosion,and hydrodynamic characteristics of overland flow from a sloping hillside with different draw-off discharges from alfalfa and control plots with 20°slope.The effect of alfalfa on runoff and sediment transport reduction was quantitatively analyzed.Alfalfa was discussed for its ability to reduce the overland flow scouring force or change the runoff movement.Compared to the bare-soil plots,alfalfa plots generated a 1.77 times increase in infiltration rate.Furthermore,the down-slope water infiltration rate for the bare soil plots was higher than in the up-slope,while the opposite was found in the alfalfa plots.In addition,alfalfa had a significant effect on runoff and sediment yield.In comparison to the control,the runoff coefficient and sediment transportation rate decreased by 28.3%and 78.4%in the grass slope,respectively.The runoff generated from the alfalfa and bare-soil plots had similar trends with an initial increase and subsequent leveling to a steady-state rate.The transport of sediment reduced with time as a consequence of the depletion of loose surface materials.The maximum sediment concentration was recorded within the first few minutes of each event.The alfalfa plots had subcritical flow while the baresoil plots had supercritical flow,which indicate that the capability of the alfalfa slope for resisting soil erosion and sediment movement was greater than for bare soil plots.Moreover,the flow resistance coefficient and roughness coefficient for the alfalfa plots were both higher than for the bare-soil plots,which indicate that overland flow in alfalfa plots had retarded and was blocked,and the flow energy along the runoff path had gradually dissipated.Finally,the ability to erode and transport sediment had decreased.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2020YFA0608403)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42022001,41877150,42041004,42001029)。
文摘The implementation of large-scale vegetation restoration over the Chinese Loess Plateau has achieved clear improvements in vegetation fraction,as evidenced by large areas of slopes and plains being restored to grassland or forest.However,such large-scale vegetation restoration has altered land-atmosphere exchanges of water and energy,as the land surface characteristics have changed.These variations could affect regional climate,especially local precipitation.Quantitatively evaluating this feedback is an important scientific question in hydrometeorology.This study constructs a coupled land-atmosphere model incorporating vegetation dynamics,and analyzes the spatio-temporal changes of different land use types and land surface parameters over the Loess Plateau.By considering the impacts of vegetation restoration on the water-energy cycle and on land-atmosphere interactions,we quantified the feedback effect of vegetation restoration on local precipitation across the Loess Plateau,and discussed the important underlying processes.To achieve a quantitative evaluation,we designed two simulation experiments,comprising a real scenario with vegetation restoration and a hypothetical scenario without vegetation restoration.These enabled a comparison and analysis of the net impact of vegetation restoration on local precipitation.The results show that vegetation restoration had a positive effect on local precipitation over the Loess Plateau.Observations show that precipitation on the Loess Plateau increased significantly,at a rate of 7.84 mm yr^(-2),from 2000 to 2015.The simulations show that the contribution of large-scale vegetation restoration to the precipitation increase was about 37.4%,while external atmospheric circulation changes beyond the Loess Plateau contributed the other 62.6%.The average annual precipitation under the vegetation restoration scenario over the Loess Plateau was 12.4%higher than that under the scenario without vegetation restoration.The above research results have important theoretical and practical significance for the ecological protection and optimal development of the Loess Plateau,as well as the sustainable management of vegetation restoration.
基金the Special Foundation of National Science&Technology Supporting Plan(2011BAD29B09)National Natural Science Foundation of China(51409218),111 Project(B12007)the Chinese Universities Scientific Fund(2014YB050).
文摘Water shortage has become a significant constraint to grain production in China.A more holistic approach is needed to understand the links between grain production and water consumption.Water footprint provides a framework to assess water utilization in agriculture production.This paper analyzes the spatiotemporal variation in water footprint of grain production(WFGP)in China from 1951 to 2010.The results show that,jointly motivated by the improvement of agricultural production and water use efficiency,WFGP in all areas showed a decreasing trend.National average WFGP has decreased from 3.38 to 1.31 m^(3)·kg^(–1).Due to regional differences in agricultural production and water use efficiency,spatial distribution of WFGP varies significantly and its pattern has changed through time.Moreover,WFGP may show significant differences within areas of similar climatic conditions and agricultural practices,indicating that there is a strong need to improve the management of water use technology.Statistical analysis revealed that regional differences in grain yield are the main cause for variations in spatiotemporal WFGP.However,the scope for further increases in grain yield is limited,and thus,the future goal of reducing WFGP is to decrease the water use per unit area.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42022001,41877150,42001029,and 42041004)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFC3003401 and 2020YFA0608403)。
文摘Agriculture in water-limited areas is an integral part of regional and global food security.Indeed,food production has increased dramatically in the arid and semiarid areas thanks to the advances in agronomy,genetics and engineering.Irrigation technology,fertilizers and pesticides,and soil management have revolutionized agriculture in water-limited areas.However,water scarcity remains the greatest challenge for agriculture and usually is also the cause for other socioeconomic and environmental problems.Moreover,water scarcity in an area often coexists with low water
