The Three-River Source Region(TRSR)in China holds a vital position and exhibits an irreplaceable strategic importance in ecological preservation at the national level.On the basis of an in-depth study of the vegetatio...The Three-River Source Region(TRSR)in China holds a vital position and exhibits an irreplaceable strategic importance in ecological preservation at the national level.On the basis of an in-depth study of the vegetation evolution in the TRSR from 2000 to 2022,we conducted a detailed analysis of the feedback mechanism of vegetation growth to climate change and human activity for different vegetation types.During the growing season,the spatiotemporal variations of normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)for different vegetation types in the TRSR were analyzed using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS)-NDVI data and meteorological data from 2000 to 2022.In addition,the response characteristics of vegetation to temperature,precipitation,and human activity were assessed using trend analysis,partial correlation analysis,and residual analysis.Results indicated that,after in-depth research,from 2000 to 2022,the TRSR's average NDVI during the growing season was 0.3482.The preliminary ranking of the average NDVI for different vegetation types was as follows:shrubland(0.5762)>forest(0.5443)>meadow(0.4219)>highland vegetation(0.2223)>steppe(0.2159).The NDVI during the growing season exhibited a fluctuating growth trend,with an average growth rate of 0.0018/10a(P<0.01).Notably,forests displayed a significant development trend throughout the growing season,possessing the fastest rate of change in NDVI(0.0028/10a).Moreover,the upward trends in NDVI for forests and steppes exhibited extensive spatial distributions,with significant increases accounting for 95.23%and 93.80%,respectively.The sensitivity to precipitation was significantly enhanced in other vegetation types other than highland vegetation.By contrast,steppes,meadows,and highland vegetation demonstrated relatively high vulnerability to temperature fluctuations.A further detailed analysis revealed that climate change had a significant positive impact on the TRSR from 2000 to 2022,particularly in its northwestern areas,accounting for 85.05%of the total area.Meanwhile,human activity played a notable positive role in the southwestern and southeastern areas of the TRSR,covering 62.65%of the total area.Therefore,climate change had a significantly higher impact on NDVI during the growing season in the TRSR than human activity.展开更多
Interpretative structural model(ISM) can transform a multivariate problem into several sub-variable problems to analyze a complex industrial structure in a more efficient way by building a multi-level hierarchical str...Interpretative structural model(ISM) can transform a multivariate problem into several sub-variable problems to analyze a complex industrial structure in a more efficient way by building a multi-level hierarchical structure model. To build an ISM of a production system, the partial correlation coefficient method is proposed to obtain the adjacency matrix, which can be transformed to ISM. According to estimation of correlation coefficient, the result can give actual variable correlations and eliminate effects of intermediate variables. Furthermore, this paper proposes an effective approach using ISM to analyze the main factors and basic mechanisms that affect the energy consumption in an ethylene production system. The case study shows that the proposed energy consumption analysis method is valid and efficient in improvement of energy efficiency in ethylene production.展开更多
The Mongolian Plateau in East Asia is one of the largest contingent arid and semi-arid areas of the world.Under the impacts of climate change and human activities,desertification is becoming increasingly severe on the...The Mongolian Plateau in East Asia is one of the largest contingent arid and semi-arid areas of the world.Under the impacts of climate change and human activities,desertification is becoming increasingly severe on the Mongolian Plateau.Understanding the vegetation dynamics in this region can better characterize its ecological changes.In this study,based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS)images,we calculated the kernel normalized difference vegetation index(kNDVI)on the Mongolian Plateau from 2000 to 2023,and analyzed the changes in kNDVI using the Theil-Sen median trend analysis and Mann-Kendall significance test.We further investigated the impact of climate change on kNDVI change using partial correlation analysis and composite correlation analysis,and quantified the effects of climate change and human activities on kNDVI change by residual analysis.The results showed that kNDVI on the Mongolian Plateau was increasing overall,and the vegetation recovery area in the southern region was significantly larger than that in the northern region.About 50.99%of the plateau showed dominant climate-driven effects of temperature,precipitation,and wind speed on kNDVI change.Residual analysis showed that climate change and human activities together contributed to 94.79%of the areas with vegetation improvement.Appropriate human activities promoted the recovery of local vegetation,and climate change inhibited vegetation growth in the northern part of the Mongolian Plateau.This study provides scientific data for understanding the regional ecological environment status and future changes and developing effective ecological protection measures on the Mongolian Plateau.展开更多
As an important means regulating the relationship between human and natural ecosystem,ecological restoration program plays a key role in restoring ecosystem functions.The Grain-for-Green Program(GFGP,One of the world...As an important means regulating the relationship between human and natural ecosystem,ecological restoration program plays a key role in restoring ecosystem functions.The Grain-for-Green Program(GFGP,One of the world’s most ambitious ecosystem conservation set-aside programs aims to transfer farmland on steep slopes to forestland or grassland to increase vegetation coverage)has been widely implemented from 1999 to 2015 and exerted significant influence on land use and ecosystem services(ESs).In this study,three ecological models(In VEST,RUSLE,and CASA)were used to accurately calculate the three key types of ESs,water yield(WY),soil conservation(SC),and net primary production(NPP)in Karst area of southwestern China from 1982 to 2015.The impact of GFGP on ESs and trade-offs was analyzed.It provides practical guidance in carrying out ecological regulation in Karst area of China under global climate change.Results showed that ESs and trade-offs had changed dramatically driven by GFGP.In detail,temporally,SC and NPP exhibited an increasing trend,while WY exhibited a decreasing trend.Spatially,SC basically decreased from west to east;NPP basically increased from north to south;WY basically increased from west to east;NPP and SC,SC and WY developed in the direction of trade-offs driven by the GFGP,while NPP and WY developed in the direction of synergy.Therefore,future ecosystem management and restoration policy-making should consider trade-offs of ESs so as to achieve sustainable provision of ESs.展开更多
Based on the data of 1950 – 1999 monthly global SST from Hadley Center, NCAR/NCEP reanalysis data and rainfall over 160 weather stations in China, investigation is conducted into the difference of summer rainfall in ...Based on the data of 1950 – 1999 monthly global SST from Hadley Center, NCAR/NCEP reanalysis data and rainfall over 160 weather stations in China, investigation is conducted into the difference of summer rainfall in China (hereafter referred to as the "CS rainfall") between the years with the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) occurring independently and those with IOD occurring along with ENSO so as to study the effects of El Ni?o - Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the relationship between IOD and the CS rainfall. It is shown that CS rainfall will be more than normal in South China (centered in Hunan province) in the years of positive IOD occurring independently; the CS rainfall will be less (more) than normal in North China (Southeast China) in the years of positive IOD occurring together with ENSO. The effect of ENSO is offsetting (enhancing) the relationship between IOD and summer rainfall in Southwest China, the region joining the Yangtze River basin with the Huaihe River basin (hereafter referred to as the "Yangtze-Huaihe basin") and North China (Southeast China). The circulation field is also examined for preliminary causes of such an influence.展开更多
Scientific understanding of the trade-offs between services is crucial for the scientific management and protection of ecosys-tems and the formulation of resource management policies.This study integrated meteorologic...Scientific understanding of the trade-offs between services is crucial for the scientific management and protection of ecosys-tems and the formulation of resource management policies.This study integrated meteorological,land use,and soil data to assess the ecosystem services,namely,water yield(WY),soil erosion(SE),and carbon sinks(CS),in peak-cluster depression basins on the Sino-Vietnamese border in China during 2000-2020.It analyzed the trade-offs and synergistic relationships among the three ecosystem ser-vices and their time-lag effects and driving mechanisms with the help of pixel-by-pixel time-lag intercorrelation and geographical de-tector methods.Results show that:1)from 2000 to 2020,the key ecosystem service indicators in the peak-cluster depression basins on the Sino-Vietnamese border in China demonstrated a significant and synergistic trend of positive change.The WY increased at a rate of 11.99 mm/yr,CS increased at a rate of 2.44 g C/(m^(2)∙yr),and SE decreased at a rate of 0.06 t/(ha∙yr).2)Most areas showed a synergistic relationship across the three ecosystem services,and the areas with a trade-off relationship were mostly concentrated in Baise City and the southwest of Chongzuo City,Guangxi.3)The time-lag effect between SE and WY was mostly concentrated in 0 yr,that between SE and CS was mostly concentrated in 5 yr,and that between CS and WY was mostly concentrated in 1 yr.4)Population density was the controlling factor between SE and WY.Vegetation coverage factor is the main controlling factor between SE and CS.The lithologic factor is the main controlling factor between CS and WY.Studying the trade-off relationship of ecosystem services at spatial and tem-poral scales on the Sino-Vietnamese border in China karst areas can provide a basis for regional ecological construction and develop-ment strategies,and it is conducive to meeting regional interest needs,maximizing comprehensive benefits,balancing the ecological en-vironment,and achieving regional sustainable development.展开更多
Flowering time is a crucial rice trait that influences its adaptation to various environments,cropping schedules,and agronomic characteristics.Rice breeders have exploited spontaneous mutations in heading date genes t...Flowering time is a crucial rice trait that influences its adaptation to various environments,cropping schedules,and agronomic characteristics.Rice breeders have exploited spontaneous mutations in heading date genes to regulate the flowering time.In the present study,we investigated how breeders in Fukui Prefecture regulated days to heading while developing promising rice varieties.Genome-wide association studies(GWAS)identified Hd1,Hd16,and Hd18 as the major genes controlling days to heading in the population.However,we suspected that this highly bred population might exhibit genomic stratification,which could lead to spurious or false correlations in the GWAS.Thus,we also conducted correlation and partial correlation analyses,which uncovered another key heading date gene,Hd17,that GWAS failed to detect because of its linkage disequilibrium with the major effect gene Hd16.Examination of haplotype frequencies across different breeding periods revealed that the early-heading Hd16(Hd16(E))and late-heading Hd17(Hd17(L))were increasingly co-selected in the Hd1 functional population.Varieties carrying this Hd16(E)/Hd17(L)combination exhibited days to heading in the range of 70–80,which corresponds to the peak temperature and sunshine period and is also optimal for grain quality and yield components in the Fukui environment.The present study highlights that it is imperative to remain vigilant for Type I(false positives)and Type II(false negatives)errors when performing GWAS on highly bred populations and to implement appropriate countermeasures by accounting for gene-by-gene interactions established through the breeding process.We also discuss the effectiveness of Hd16(E),which is not used outside Japan for subtle days to heading control but is widely used in Japan at certain latitudes.展开更多
Water resource is one of the major constraints to agricultural production in central and western Inner Mongolia, where are characteristic by arid and semi-arid climate. Reference crop evapotranspiration （ETo） is an ...Water resource is one of the major constraints to agricultural production in central and western Inner Mongolia, where are characteristic by arid and semi-arid climate. Reference crop evapotranspiration （ETo） is an important part of water cycle in agricultural ecosystem, which has a direct effect on crop growth and yield. The implications of climate change on ETo are of high importance for agriculture regarding water management and irrigation scheduling. The aim of this study was to analyze the variations in climate and its effect on ETo in central and western Inner Mongolia over the period 1961 to 2009 For this purpose, data in ten meteorological stations across study area were collected and the FAO Penman-Monteith 56 method was used. Results showed that the average temperature, maximum temperature and minimum temperature increased by 0.49~C, 0.31~C and 0.70~C per decade during 1961-2009, respectively. In comparison, the daily temperature range decreased by 0.38~C per decade. The air relative humidity, sunshine hour, and 10-m wind speed decreased generally by 0.58%, 40.11 h, and 0.35 rrds per decade, respectively. Annual mean ETo decreased significantly at a rate of 12.2 mm per decade over the periods, this was mainly due to the decrease in wind speed in the study area. The decrease in wind speed may balance the effect of the increase in air temperature on ETo. Variations in spatial distribution of ETo and its main controlling factor were also detected among ten stations. Our results suggested that spatial and temporal distribution of ETo should be considered regarding the optimization of water resource management for agriculture in central and western Inner Mongolia under foreseen climate change.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42377472, 42174055)the Jiangxi Provincial Social Science "Fourteenth Five-Year Plan" (2024) Fund Project (24GL45)+1 种基金the Research Center of Resource and Environment Economics (20RGL01)the Provincial Finance Project of Jiangxi Academy of Sciences-Young Talent Cultivation Program (2023YSBG50010)
文摘The Three-River Source Region(TRSR)in China holds a vital position and exhibits an irreplaceable strategic importance in ecological preservation at the national level.On the basis of an in-depth study of the vegetation evolution in the TRSR from 2000 to 2022,we conducted a detailed analysis of the feedback mechanism of vegetation growth to climate change and human activity for different vegetation types.During the growing season,the spatiotemporal variations of normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI)for different vegetation types in the TRSR were analyzed using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS)-NDVI data and meteorological data from 2000 to 2022.In addition,the response characteristics of vegetation to temperature,precipitation,and human activity were assessed using trend analysis,partial correlation analysis,and residual analysis.Results indicated that,after in-depth research,from 2000 to 2022,the TRSR's average NDVI during the growing season was 0.3482.The preliminary ranking of the average NDVI for different vegetation types was as follows:shrubland(0.5762)>forest(0.5443)>meadow(0.4219)>highland vegetation(0.2223)>steppe(0.2159).The NDVI during the growing season exhibited a fluctuating growth trend,with an average growth rate of 0.0018/10a(P<0.01).Notably,forests displayed a significant development trend throughout the growing season,possessing the fastest rate of change in NDVI(0.0028/10a).Moreover,the upward trends in NDVI for forests and steppes exhibited extensive spatial distributions,with significant increases accounting for 95.23%and 93.80%,respectively.The sensitivity to precipitation was significantly enhanced in other vegetation types other than highland vegetation.By contrast,steppes,meadows,and highland vegetation demonstrated relatively high vulnerability to temperature fluctuations.A further detailed analysis revealed that climate change had a significant positive impact on the TRSR from 2000 to 2022,particularly in its northwestern areas,accounting for 85.05%of the total area.Meanwhile,human activity played a notable positive role in the southwestern and southeastern areas of the TRSR,covering 62.65%of the total area.Therefore,climate change had a significantly higher impact on NDVI during the growing season in the TRSR than human activity.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(61374166,6153303)the Doctoral Fund of Ministry of Education of China(20120010110010)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(YS1404,JD1413,ZY1502)
文摘Interpretative structural model(ISM) can transform a multivariate problem into several sub-variable problems to analyze a complex industrial structure in a more efficient way by building a multi-level hierarchical structure model. To build an ISM of a production system, the partial correlation coefficient method is proposed to obtain the adjacency matrix, which can be transformed to ISM. According to estimation of correlation coefficient, the result can give actual variable correlations and eliminate effects of intermediate variables. Furthermore, this paper proposes an effective approach using ISM to analyze the main factors and basic mechanisms that affect the energy consumption in an ethylene production system. The case study shows that the proposed energy consumption analysis method is valid and efficient in improvement of energy efficiency in ethylene production.
基金National Key Research and Development Program on Enhancement of Soil and Water Ecological Security and Guarantee Technology in Desert Oasis Areas(2023YFF130420103)Three North Project of Xinhua Forestry Highland Demonstration Science and Technology Construction Project,the Technology and Demonstration of Near-Natural Modification of Artificial Protective Forest Structures and Enhancement of Soil and Water Conservation Functions in Ecological Protection Belt(2023YFF1305201)+2 种基金Multi-dimensional Coupled Soil-surface-groundwater Hydrological Processes and Vegetation Regulation Mechanism in Loess Area of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U2243202)Hot Tracking Program of Beijing Forestry University"Planting a Billion Trees"Program and China-Mongolia Cooperation on Desertification in China(2023BLRD04)Research on Ecological Photovoltaic Vegetation Configuration Model and Restoration Technology(AMKJ2023-17).
文摘The Mongolian Plateau in East Asia is one of the largest contingent arid and semi-arid areas of the world.Under the impacts of climate change and human activities,desertification is becoming increasingly severe on the Mongolian Plateau.Understanding the vegetation dynamics in this region can better characterize its ecological changes.In this study,based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS)images,we calculated the kernel normalized difference vegetation index(kNDVI)on the Mongolian Plateau from 2000 to 2023,and analyzed the changes in kNDVI using the Theil-Sen median trend analysis and Mann-Kendall significance test.We further investigated the impact of climate change on kNDVI change using partial correlation analysis and composite correlation analysis,and quantified the effects of climate change and human activities on kNDVI change by residual analysis.The results showed that kNDVI on the Mongolian Plateau was increasing overall,and the vegetation recovery area in the southern region was significantly larger than that in the northern region.About 50.99%of the plateau showed dominant climate-driven effects of temperature,precipitation,and wind speed on kNDVI change.Residual analysis showed that climate change and human activities together contributed to 94.79%of the areas with vegetation improvement.Appropriate human activities promoted the recovery of local vegetation,and climate change inhibited vegetation growth in the northern part of the Mongolian Plateau.This study provides scientific data for understanding the regional ecological environment status and future changes and developing effective ecological protection measures on the Mongolian Plateau.
基金Under the auspices of National Key Technology Research and Development Project of China(No.2018YFC0507301-02)Chinese Academy of Sciences,Strategic Pilot Science and Technology Project(Class A)(No.XDA2002040201)Shaanxi Province Natural Science Basic Research Project(No.2018JM4016)
文摘As an important means regulating the relationship between human and natural ecosystem,ecological restoration program plays a key role in restoring ecosystem functions.The Grain-for-Green Program(GFGP,One of the world’s most ambitious ecosystem conservation set-aside programs aims to transfer farmland on steep slopes to forestland or grassland to increase vegetation coverage)has been widely implemented from 1999 to 2015 and exerted significant influence on land use and ecosystem services(ESs).In this study,three ecological models(In VEST,RUSLE,and CASA)were used to accurately calculate the three key types of ESs,water yield(WY),soil conservation(SC),and net primary production(NPP)in Karst area of southwestern China from 1982 to 2015.The impact of GFGP on ESs and trade-offs was analyzed.It provides practical guidance in carrying out ecological regulation in Karst area of China under global climate change.Results showed that ESs and trade-offs had changed dramatically driven by GFGP.In detail,temporally,SC and NPP exhibited an increasing trend,while WY exhibited a decreasing trend.Spatially,SC basically decreased from west to east;NPP basically increased from north to south;WY basically increased from west to east;NPP and SC,SC and WY developed in the direction of trade-offs driven by the GFGP,while NPP and WY developed in the direction of synergy.Therefore,future ecosystem management and restoration policy-making should consider trade-offs of ESs so as to achieve sustainable provision of ESs.
基金National Science Foundation of China (40475028)a project from Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster of Jiangsu Province (KLME060210)
文摘Based on the data of 1950 – 1999 monthly global SST from Hadley Center, NCAR/NCEP reanalysis data and rainfall over 160 weather stations in China, investigation is conducted into the difference of summer rainfall in China (hereafter referred to as the "CS rainfall") between the years with the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) occurring independently and those with IOD occurring along with ENSO so as to study the effects of El Ni?o - Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the relationship between IOD and the CS rainfall. It is shown that CS rainfall will be more than normal in South China (centered in Hunan province) in the years of positive IOD occurring independently; the CS rainfall will be less (more) than normal in North China (Southeast China) in the years of positive IOD occurring together with ENSO. The effect of ENSO is offsetting (enhancing) the relationship between IOD and summer rainfall in Southwest China, the region joining the Yangtze River basin with the Huaihe River basin (hereafter referred to as the "Yangtze-Huaihe basin") and North China (Southeast China). The circulation field is also examined for preliminary causes of such an influence.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42061020)Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region(No.2018JJA150135)+2 种基金Guangxi Key Research and Development Program(No.AA18118038)Science and Technology Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region(No.2019AC20088)High Level Talent Introduction Project of Beibu Gulf University(No.2019KYQD28)。
文摘Scientific understanding of the trade-offs between services is crucial for the scientific management and protection of ecosys-tems and the formulation of resource management policies.This study integrated meteorological,land use,and soil data to assess the ecosystem services,namely,water yield(WY),soil erosion(SE),and carbon sinks(CS),in peak-cluster depression basins on the Sino-Vietnamese border in China during 2000-2020.It analyzed the trade-offs and synergistic relationships among the three ecosystem ser-vices and their time-lag effects and driving mechanisms with the help of pixel-by-pixel time-lag intercorrelation and geographical de-tector methods.Results show that:1)from 2000 to 2020,the key ecosystem service indicators in the peak-cluster depression basins on the Sino-Vietnamese border in China demonstrated a significant and synergistic trend of positive change.The WY increased at a rate of 11.99 mm/yr,CS increased at a rate of 2.44 g C/(m^(2)∙yr),and SE decreased at a rate of 0.06 t/(ha∙yr).2)Most areas showed a synergistic relationship across the three ecosystem services,and the areas with a trade-off relationship were mostly concentrated in Baise City and the southwest of Chongzuo City,Guangxi.3)The time-lag effect between SE and WY was mostly concentrated in 0 yr,that between SE and CS was mostly concentrated in 5 yr,and that between CS and WY was mostly concentrated in 1 yr.4)Population density was the controlling factor between SE and WY.Vegetation coverage factor is the main controlling factor between SE and CS.The lithologic factor is the main controlling factor between CS and WY.Studying the trade-off relationship of ecosystem services at spatial and tem-poral scales on the Sino-Vietnamese border in China karst areas can provide a basis for regional ecological construction and develop-ment strategies,and it is conducive to meeting regional interest needs,maximizing comprehensive benefits,balancing the ecological en-vironment,and achieving regional sustainable development.
基金supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science[grant numbers JP22H02294 to M.M.JP24H02257,JP21K14758,to M.S.+2 种基金JP21K15120,24K01886 to H.Y]by Cross-ministerial Moonshot Agriculture,Forestry and Fisheries Research and Development Program,“Technologies for Smart Bio-industry and Agriculture”(funding agency:Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution)grant to H.Y.(JPJ009237)by the commissioned research fund provided by F-REI(JPFR24020105)to M.S.
文摘Flowering time is a crucial rice trait that influences its adaptation to various environments,cropping schedules,and agronomic characteristics.Rice breeders have exploited spontaneous mutations in heading date genes to regulate the flowering time.In the present study,we investigated how breeders in Fukui Prefecture regulated days to heading while developing promising rice varieties.Genome-wide association studies(GWAS)identified Hd1,Hd16,and Hd18 as the major genes controlling days to heading in the population.However,we suspected that this highly bred population might exhibit genomic stratification,which could lead to spurious or false correlations in the GWAS.Thus,we also conducted correlation and partial correlation analyses,which uncovered another key heading date gene,Hd17,that GWAS failed to detect because of its linkage disequilibrium with the major effect gene Hd16.Examination of haplotype frequencies across different breeding periods revealed that the early-heading Hd16(Hd16(E))and late-heading Hd17(Hd17(L))were increasingly co-selected in the Hd1 functional population.Varieties carrying this Hd16(E)/Hd17(L)combination exhibited days to heading in the range of 70–80,which corresponds to the peak temperature and sunshine period and is also optimal for grain quality and yield components in the Fukui environment.The present study highlights that it is imperative to remain vigilant for Type I(false positives)and Type II(false negatives)errors when performing GWAS on highly bred populations and to implement appropriate countermeasures by accounting for gene-by-gene interactions established through the breeding process.We also discuss the effectiveness of Hd16(E),which is not used outside Japan for subtle days to heading control but is widely used in Japan at certain latitudes.
文摘Water resource is one of the major constraints to agricultural production in central and western Inner Mongolia, where are characteristic by arid and semi-arid climate. Reference crop evapotranspiration （ETo） is an important part of water cycle in agricultural ecosystem, which has a direct effect on crop growth and yield. The implications of climate change on ETo are of high importance for agriculture regarding water management and irrigation scheduling. The aim of this study was to analyze the variations in climate and its effect on ETo in central and western Inner Mongolia over the period 1961 to 2009 For this purpose, data in ten meteorological stations across study area were collected and the FAO Penman-Monteith 56 method was used. Results showed that the average temperature, maximum temperature and minimum temperature increased by 0.49~C, 0.31~C and 0.70~C per decade during 1961-2009, respectively. In comparison, the daily temperature range decreased by 0.38~C per decade. The air relative humidity, sunshine hour, and 10-m wind speed decreased generally by 0.58%, 40.11 h, and 0.35 rrds per decade, respectively. Annual mean ETo decreased significantly at a rate of 12.2 mm per decade over the periods, this was mainly due to the decrease in wind speed in the study area. The decrease in wind speed may balance the effect of the increase in air temperature on ETo. Variations in spatial distribution of ETo and its main controlling factor were also detected among ten stations. Our results suggested that spatial and temporal distribution of ETo should be considered regarding the optimization of water resource management for agriculture in central and western Inner Mongolia under foreseen climate change.
