A township-level assessment of forest fragmentation using morphological spatial pattern analysis in Qujing,Yunnan Province,China

Forest fragmentation is an integral part of global change.Understanding forest fragmentation patterns and dynamics are of great significance for maintaining eco...     

Failure mechanism and stability analysis of the Zhenggang landslide in Yunnan Province of China using 3D particle flow code simulation

Based on the principle of 3D particle flow code, a numerical landslide run-out model is presented to simulate the failure process of the Zhenggang landslide (in southwestern China) under the effect of water after a rainfall. The relationship between the micro-mechanical parameters and the macro-shear strength of the grain material is determined through numerical calibrations. Then the rainfall effect is considered in numerical simulations and rain-induced sliding processes are performed, which help us to discuss the mechanism of deformation and failure of this landslide together with field observations. It shows the Zhenggang landslide would most likely be activated in Zone I and would gain momentum in Zone II. In order to prevent the potential disaster, a tailing dam is advised to be designed about 175 m downstream from the current landslide boundary of Zone II. Verified by field observations, the presented landslide model can reflect the failure mechanism after rainfall. It can also provide a method to predict the potential disaster and draft disaster prevention measures.     

Experimental analysis of shear strength of undisturbed soil in leucaena forest in Jiangjia Ravine,Yunnan, China

Five leucaena trees of similar age were chosen in Jiangjia Ravine of Dongchuan, Yunnan Province, China, near which the soil samples were collected by digging profiles 2m in depth and 1m in width. In each section, soil samples at different depths were taken for direct shear experiments to determine the root amount and mechanical composition. It is found that the cohesion and internal friction angle of the undisturbed soil are related to the root amount, depth, clay content and breccias content. Cohesion correlates negatively with root content, a finding that differs from that of other researchers. In addition, internal friction angle correlates positively with all these factors.     

Earthquake dynamic response behavior of Xiangchong valley type tailings impoundment in Yunnan,China

Tailings impoundments can potentially collapse due to damage caused by earthquakes, which has frequently occurred around the world. This study takes the proposed valley type tailings impoundment in Yunnan as the research object to analyze the dynamic response behavior under earthquake action with both numerical simulation and physical model test (1:300). The results of both tests show that the dynamic response of the valley type tailings impoundment is characterized by “medium stiffness effect”, in other words, in a certain range, the “softer” the unsaturated tailings sand is, the more energy it can dissipate, which leads the decrease of the value of the acceleration amplification factor. In addition, the peak acceleration of the monitoring points increases with the vertical elevation, which indicates that the “elevation amplification effect” exists in the tailings impoundment dynamic response. The middle part of the outer side of the raised embankment reacts more sensitive than the crest, which is similar to the slope dynamic response. The starter dam reacts sensitively under the earthquake excitation, which should be given more attention during the seismic design. The dynamic response rules reflected by the numerical simulation are consistent with the results monitored on the physical model test, although there are some differences between their values. The dynamic response rules of the valley type tailings impoundment can provide basis for the design of the similar projects in this region.     

Characteristics of rock fragments in different forest stony soil and its relationship with macropore characteristics in mountain area,northern China

Rock fragments have major effect on soil macropores and water movement. However, the characteristics of rock fragments and their relationship with macropore characteristics remain elusive in forest stony soils in northern mountainous area of China. The objectives of this study are to (1) use Industrial Computed Tomography (CT) scanning to quantitatively analyze rock fragment characteristics in intact soil columns in different forest lands and (2) identify the relationship between characteristics of rock fragments and that of the macropores. Intact soil columns that were 100 mm in diameter and 300 mm long were randomly taken from six local forest stony soils in Wuzuolou Forest Station in Miyun, Beijing. Industrial CT was used to scan all soil column samples, and then the scanned images were utilized to obtain the three-dimensional (3D) images of rock fragments and macropore structures. Next, the parameters of the rock fragments and macropore structure were measured, including the volume, diameter, surface area, and number of rock fragments, as well as the volume, diameter, surface area, length, angle, tortuosity and number of macropores. The results showed that no significant difference was found in soil rock fragments content in the 10-30 cm layer between mixed forest and pure forest, but in the 0-10 cm soil layer, the rock fragments in mixed forest were significantly less than in pure forest. The number density of macropores has significant negative correlation with the number of rock fragments in the 0-10 cm soil layer, whereas this correlation is not significant in 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm soil layers. The volume density of macropore was not correlated with the volume density of rock fragments, and there is no correlation between the density of macropore surface area and the density of rock fragment surface area. Industrial CT scanning combined with image processing technology can provide a better way to explore 3D distribution of rock fragments in soil. The content of rock fragments in soil is mainly determined by parent rocks. The surface soil (0-10 cm) of forest contains fewer rock fragments and more macropores, which may be caused by bioturbation, root systems, gravitational settling and faunal undermining.     

云南洞穴金线鲃属鱼类(鲤科)一新种

描记采于罗平县—地下河金线鲃属一新种,命名为瓦状角金线鲃Sinocyclocheilus tileihornesMao,Lu et Li,sp.nov。新种外形与犀角金线鲃S.rhinocerous Li et Tao(1994)相近,但新种无侧线鳞,角顶部分叉呈瓦状,腹鳍较长,后伸超过肛门或达到臀鳍起点可与之相区分。     

云南洞穴盲金线鲃一新种(鲤形目:鲤科)

描记采于云南省邱北县一地下洞穴盲金线鲃一新种,以其头上骨质突形状如鹰喙命名鹰喙角金线鲃Sinocyclocheilus aquihornes sp.nov.。新种头形及完全退化的眼与分布于云南泸西阿庐古洞的透明金线鲃S.hyalinus Chen et Yang(1994)相近,但有下列特征可区别:1)角形如鹰喙,后者为一向前的直突起;2)侧线完全,侧线鳞为36,后者侧线不完全,侧线鳞孔9-11;3)背鳍起点位于体中点,至吻端的距离等于至尾鳍基的距离;后者背鳍起点位于体中点之后,至吻端的距离大于至尾鳍基的距离。     

Effects of climate change on potential habitats of the cold temperate coniferous forest in Yunnan province,southwestern China

We built a classification tree(CT) model to estimate climatic factors controlling the cold temperate coniferous forest(CTCF) distributions in Yunnan province and to predict its potential habitats under the current and future climates, using seven climate change scenarios, projected over the years of 2070-2099. The accurate CT model on CTCFs showed that minimum temperature of coldest month(TMW) was the overwhelmingly potent factor among the six climate variables. The areas of TMW-4.05 were suitable habitats of CTCF, and the areas of -1.35 TMW were non-habitats, where temperate conifer and broad-leaved mixed forests(TCBLFs) were distribute in lower elevation, bordering on the CTCF. Dominant species of Abies, Picea, and Larix in the CTCFs, are more tolerant to winter coldness than Tsuga and broad-leaved trees including deciduous broad-leaved Acer and Betula, evergreen broadleaved Cyclobalanopsis and Lithocarpus in TCBLFs. Winter coldness may actually limit the cool-side distributions of TCBLFs in the areas between -1.35°C and -4.05°C, and the warm-side distributions of CTCFs may be controlled by competition to the species of TCBLFs. Under future climate scenarios, the vulnerable area, where current potential(suitable + marginal) habitats(80,749 km~2) shift to nonhabitats, was predicted to decrease to 55.91%(45,053 km~2) of the current area. Inferring from the current vegetation distribution pattern, TCBLFs will replace declining CTCFs. Vulnerable areas predicted by models are important in determining priority of ecosystem conservation.     

Uncertainty analysis on zonation maps of debris flow hazard in Yunnan Province, China

lINTRODUCTIONDebrisflowisoneofthesixprimarynaturalhaz-ards,whichinfluencesthedevelopmentofnationalso-cietyandeconomyinChina.Itsseverityissecondarytoflood,draught,earthquake,typhoon,butstrongerthanbiologicalhazards.Morethan3ooOodebrisflowcreeksarescatteredihthewholemountainousarea,andes-PeciallyconcentratedinsouthwestofChina.DebrisFlowInformationSystem(DFIS)operatedbytheInsti-tuteofMountainHazardsandEnvironmentoftheChi-neseAcademyofScienceshasalreadyestablishedadatabaseandcataloguec…     

Landslide susceptibility analysis of Karakoram highway using analytical hierarchy process and scoops 3D

Landslides are prevalent, regular, and expensive hazards in the Karakoram Highway(KKH) region. The KKH connects Pakistan with China in the present China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) context. This region has not only immense economic importance but also ecological significance. The purpose of the study was to map the landslide-prone areas along KKH using two different techniquesAnalytical Hierarchy Process(AHP) and Scoops 3 D model. The causative parameters for running AHP include the lithology, presence of thrust, land use land cover, precipitation, and Digital Elevation Model(DEM) derived variables(slope, curvature, aspect, and elevation). The AHP derived final landslide susceptibility map was classified into four zones, i.e., low, moderate, high, and extremely high. Over 80% of the study area falls under the moderate(43%) and high(40%) landslide susceptible zones. To assess the slope stability of the study area, the Scoops 3 D model was used by integrating with the earthquake loading data. The results of the limit equilibrium analysis categorized the area into four groups(low, moderate, high, and extremely high mass) of slope failure. The areas around Main Mantle Thrust(MMT) including Dubair, Jijal, and Kohistan regions, had high volumes of potential slope failures. The results from AHP and Scoops 3 D techniques were validated with the landslides inventory record of the Geological Survey of Pakistan and Google Earth. The results from both the techniques showed similar output that coincides with the known landslides areas. However, Scoops 3 D provides not only susceptible zones but also the range of volume of the potential slope failures. Further, these techniques could be used in other mountainous areas, which could help in the landslide mitigation measures.     

Effect of spot burning of logging residues on the properties of mountain forest soils and the occurrence of ground beetles(Coleoptera,Carabidae)

We investigated the relationships between dehydrogenase activity and the physicochemical properties of mountain soils over three and five years from Norway spruce(Picea abies L. Karst) logging residue spot burning and the occurrence of epigeic carabid beetles. Six study sites were utilised, including18 study plots(nine plots in a mixed coniferous mountain forest site and nine plots in a mixed broadleaf mountain forest site), with five replicate pitfall traps at each site located in southern Poland.Soil samples from the organic horizon were taken for p H, organic carbon, nitrogen, base cation content,acidity and dehydrogenase activity determination.Carabid beetles were monitored in weekly intervals during the period of July to August 2016. The burning of logging residues led to modified soil properties,especially the dehydrogenase activity. In all the tested variants, the activity was higher in soil samples after the burning in comparison to the control variants. We show no positive correlation between dehydrogenase activity and the number of carabid specimens. The preferences of dominant predatory hygrophilous carabids to acid habitats with weakly decomposed organic matter were proven. Simultaneously, the soil organic matter content was positively related to the carabid abundance. The significant impact of forest site conditions and the date of logging residue burning on the number of caught specimens were confirmed. In contrast, no relationships between the species richness, species diversity, mean individual biomass and spot burning effect were found. This work supports the recommendation of spruce fine woody debris utilisation by spot burning on mountain regions with rich habitats presenting moderate wet conditions and small land falls.     

区域气候模式RegCM3对中国夏季降水的模拟

利用意大利国际理论物理中心（ICTP）最新发布的区域气候模式RegCM3检验我国包括青藏高原地区夏季降水的模拟能力。初始值及边界值取自美国国家环境预测中心（NCEP）和国家大气中心（NCAR）的全球再分析资料。模式积分时间为2005年5月1日到2005年8月31日,考虑到模式的“spin-up”时间,只对6月1日-8月31日的模式结果进行分析。模式水平分辨率取为60km,范围包括整个青藏高原在内的我国及周边地区（14°-55°N,70°-140°E）。结果表明：RegCM3具有模拟我国夏季降水主要分布特征的能力,尤其在观测站点稀少的青藏高原地区可提供局地降水分布的较可靠信息。模式较好地模拟了包括整个青藏高原在内的我国区域降水的月际尺度变化和空间分布等基本特征,但对我国东南地区的夏季降水模拟能力有待进一步提高。     

Empirical Analysis of City Contact in Zhujiang （Pearl） River Delta,China

In traditional urban geography, city contact research is a classic study element in city research. In general, researchers use the traditional gravity model to characterize the contacts that exist between two cities. The traditional gravity model assumes ideal condi- tions, but these preconditions and their results often do not exist in realistic conditions. Thus, we used a modified gravity model to char- acterize the city contacts within a specific region. This model considers factors such as intercity complementarities, government inter- vention, and the diversity of the transportation infrastructure which is characterized as the transportation distance instead of the tradi- tional Euclidean distance. We applied this model to an empirical study of city contact in the Zhujiang （Pearl） River Delta （PRD） of China. The regression results indicated that the modified gravity model could measure city contact more accurately and comprehen- sively than the traditional gravity model, i.e., it yielded a higher adjusted R2 value （0.379） than the traditional gravity model result （0.259）. Our study also suggests that, in addition to urban-regional and metropolitan development, the complementarities of the basic functions of cities at the administrative and market levels, as well as the corporeal and immaterial levels, play very significant roles in the characterization of city contact. Given the complexity of city contact, it will be necessary to consider more relevant influential fac- tors in the modified gravity model to characterize the features of city contact in the future.     

Permeability and sedimentation characteristics of pleistocene fluvio-glacial deposits in the Dadu river valley, Southwest China

There exist many fluvio-glacial deposits in the valley of Dadu River,Southwest China,which dates back to the Pleistocene.As some of the deposits are located within the seasonal water fluctuation zone of reservoirs,the seepage of groundwater acts as one of the key factors influencing their stability.Investigation into the sediment properties and permeability is,therefore,crucial for evaluating the sediment stability.In this study,in-situ permeability and sieving tests have been carried out to determine grain size distribution,correlations of permeability and hydraulic gradients,and relations between permeability and sedimentation properties.Test results indicate that the deposits are composed mostly of sands,gravels,cobbles and boulders,and the percentage of fines is less than 5%.The sediments have high densities,low porosities and natural moisture contents.At low hydraulic gradients,the seepage velocity obeys the Darcy’s law,while a nonDarcy permeability is observed with hydraulic gradient exceeding a certain value(about 0.5-0.7).The linear permeability coefficient ranges from 0.003 to 0.009 cm/s.Seepage failure occurs above a threshold between 1.1 and 1.5.The test data fit well with the non-linear permeability equations suggested by Forchheimer and Izbash.The non-Darcy permeability proves to be in accordance with the seepage equation suggested by Izbash with the power ’m’ of about 0.6-0.7.The characteristic grain sizes of the studied deposits are found in a narrow range between 0.024 and 0.031 mm,which is much lower than the effective grain size(d 10).     

Investigation of fractured rock aquifer in South China using electrical resistivity tomography and self-potential methods

Assessment of fractured rock aquifers in many parts of the world is complicated given their strong heterogeneity. Delineation of the subsurface geological formation in the weathered terrain is essential for groundwater exploration. To achieve this goal, 2D electrical resistivity tomography(ERT) and self-potential(SP) in combination with joint profile method(JPM) and boreholes have been carried out to delineate the subsurface geological units, detect the fracture/fault zones in hard rock, monitor the groundwater flow, and estimate the groundwater reserves contained within the weathered terrain at a complex heterogeneous site of Huangbu, South Guangdong of China. The integration of resistivity images with the borehole lithology along three profiles delineates three subsurface distinct layers namely topsoil cover, weathered and unweathered layers. The incorporation of ERT and SP with JPM reveal five fractures/faults, i.e., F_1, F_2, F_3, F_4 and F_5. 2D ERT models interpret the less resistive anomalies as the fractures/faults zones, and high resistive anomalies as the fresh bedrock. The inversion program based on the smoothness-constraint is used on the resistivity field data to get more realistic three layered model. SP measurements are obtained along the same electrical profiles which provide the negative anomalies clearly indicating the groundwater preferential flow pathways along the fracture/fault zones. Hydraulic parameters namely hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity were determined to estimate the groundwater resources contained within the fractures/faults. The integrated results suggest that the fractures/faults zones are most appropriate places of drilling for groundwater exploration in the investigated area. Geophysical methods coupled with the upfront borehole data provides better understanding about the conceptual model of the subsurface geological formations. The current investigation demonstrates the importance of the integrated geophysical methods as a complementary approach for groundwater assessment in the hard rock weathered areas.     

Proteocephalus sinocyclocheili n. sp. (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) in a fishSinocyclocheilus grahami tingi Fang from Yunnan, China

A new species ofProteocephalus from the fishSinocyclocheilus grahami tingi, a subspecies endemic to Fuxian Lake in Southwest China,is described. This is the first report of cestode from this host. The new species differs fromP. exiguus, P. Longicollis, P. parasiluri andP. torulosus, the only other species ofProteocephalus currently reported from China, by lacking an apical sucker, fromP. exiguus by having 45–108 rather than 24–54 testes per proglottis, and a maximum of 15 rather than 28 uterine diverticula; fromP.longicollis by having an average of 45–108 rather than 75–115 testes per proglottis and testes being in a single layer instead of 2 layers; and fromP. torulosus by having 45–108 instead of 150 testes per proglottis and testes being in 3–4 layers; and fromP. parasiluri by having 45–108 rather than 180 testes per proglottis. It resemblesP. percae, P. pollanicola, andP. thymalli in number of testes and uterine diverticula, but differs by lacking an apical sucker.Proteocephalus thymalli, like the new species, has a vagina that opens dorsally to the cirrus sac, butP. thymalli slao has postovarian testes, which the new species lacks. The possible significance of parasitological examinations of the other two subspecies ofS. grahami in two lakes close to Fuxian Lake is discussed in relation to host speciation and coevolution of the host-parasite system.     

Rural landscape types and recreational value spatial analysis of valley area of Loess Plateau: A case of Hulu Watershed,Gansu Province,China

Rural landscape is a complex of natural landscape and human landscape, with various values. The recreational value of rural landscape is a kind of comprehensive benefit with economic, social and ecological, which is provided by the rural landscape as a recreational resource. Loess Plateau is located at the junction of northern and northwestern of China, with serious water and soil erosion and fragile ecological environment. Jingning County is the national poor county, belonging to Liupanshan concentrated poverty areas. Hulu Watershed in Jingning is the typical valley area of Loess Plateau. In the past few decades, Jingning facing the fragile ecology and poverty, has been focusing on apple industry, forming unique rural landscape, exploring an ecological development path, and making much progress in green industrialization and urbanization. The author, according to the apple tree's growing stages, divided the rural landscape of Hulu Watershed into 15 types and analyzed its spatial patterns. The recreational value of Hulu Watershed was evaluated at 1.8 × 10~8–3.6 × 10~8 yuan(RMB) in 2014, by Travel Cost Method and Contingent Valuation Method. The territorial differentiational features of recreational value were that the higher value landscape types concentrated in the surrounding areas of towns and central villages, and the areas along the traffic and river had more development potentiality. The main influence factors were the construction of rural landscape and the development of recreation industry. And the development paths of different landscape types were also proposed. The research conclusions can provide reference for the landscape exploration and recreation industry development in the similar underdeveloped areas in the valley area of Loess Plateau with fragile ecology and poverty.     

Physico-chemical properties and enzyme activities of the arable soils in Lhasa, Tibet, China

An understanding of the physical,chemical,and biological properties of a soil provides a basis for soil use and management.This paper reports the major physico-chemical properties and enzyme activities of the soils of Lhasa’s main arable lands and the factors that influence these soil properties.Composite and core samples were taken from the three main arable soil types(alluvial soil,subalpine arable steppe soil,and subalpine arable meadow soil) and were analysed using standard methods.The bulk density and the ventilation porosity ratio of the soils were close to the recommended values for arable lands,and the dominant soil texture was sandy.The soil moisture release rates were arable steppe soil > alluvial soil > arable meadow soil.Soil organic matter content,Cation-Exchange Capacity(CEC),total and available nitrogen content,and catalase activity of the arable meadow soil were higher than those of the alluvial and the arable steppe soils,while soil pH in the arable meadow was lower.Most of the measured properties did not show a significant variance among these three soils.However,the measured indices(apart from the total potassium) indicate that there are notable differences among the three types of soil.The results implied that the utilisation patterns of the arable soil or human activities,such as tillage practices and fertiliser applications,have a substantialeffect on the soil properties in this region.Our results suggest that the cultivation practices in the region have apparently positive impact on the soil organic matter,nutrient contents and bulk density probably due to the sound fertiliser management such as the applications of farmyard manure and chemical fertilisers.However,intense cultivation practices lowered the activity of most soil enzymes.The results demonstrate that the choice of soil management strategy had a significant impact on the soil physicochemical and biological properties in the region studied.     

Intraspecific genetic analysis, gamete release performance, and growth of Sargassum muticum （Fucales, Phaeophyta） from China

Sargassum muticum is one of the most abundant and conspicuous native macroalgae species on the northern coasts of China. It often forms large-scale seaweed beds in subtidal zones. This investigation was designed to understand the intraspecific genetic relationships of this alga based on samples collected from four northern coastal sites of China, and to evaluate gamete release and growth capacity in laboratory conditions. The nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 （ITS2） sequences of 16 samples from four locations were identical. Based on cox3 gene and partial rbcLS operon sequences, intraspecific genetic variability was detected with three and two ribotypes, respectively. Temperature, not irradiance, was shown to significantly affect gamete release and fertilization. Elevated temperature and irradiance enhanced the growth of germlings and vegetative branchlets. Maximum growth rate of germlings was detected at 18-24℃and an irradiance of 60-100 μmol photons/（m^2.s）. Under ambient conditions （12-25℃ and 60-125 gmol photons/ （m2.s））, relative growth rate of young branchlets could reach 7.5%/d.