Impacts of temperature on rice yields of different rice cultivation systems in southern China over the past 40 years

The impact of climate change on rice yield in China remains highly uncertain. We examined the impact of the change of maximum temperature (T_max) and minimum temperature (T_min) on rice yields in southern China from 1967 to 2007. The rice yields were simulated by using the DSSAT3.5 (Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer)-Rice model. The change of T_max and T_min in rice growing seasons and simulated rice yields as well as their correlations were analyzed. The simulated yields of middle rice and early rice had a decreasing trend, but late rice yields showed a weak rise trend. There was significant negative correlation between T_max and the early rice yields, as well as the late rice yields in most stations, but non-significant negative correlation for the middle rice yields. An obviously negative relationship was found between T_min and the early and middle rice yields, and a significant positive relationship was found between T_min and the late rice yields. It indicated that under the recent climate warming, the increased T_max brought strong negative impacts on early rice yields and late rice yields, but a weak negative impact on the middle rice yields; the increased T_min had a strong negative impact on the middle rice yields and the early rice yields, but a significant positive impact on the late rice yields. It suggested that it is necessary to adjust rice planting date and adapt to higher T_min.     

Geomorphologic evidence of phased uplift of the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau since 14 million years ago

~~Geomorphologic evidence of phased uplift of the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau since 14 million years ago~~     

The emergence,development and regional differences of mixed farming of rice and millet in the upper and middle Huai River Valley,China

Mixed farming of rice and millet is one of the basic agricultural modes in the upper and middle Huai River Valley(HRV). According to the latest data, this agricultural mode appeared during the middle and late Peiligang Culture(7.8–7.0 ka BP) in the upper HRV, and then became a common subsistence economy in the end of the Neolithic(5.0–4.0 ka BP) in both the upper and middle HRV. However, it is still not clear how this mixed farming developed in the upper HRV after its occurrence, nor are the regional differences in the development of mixed farming between the upper and middle HRV during the Neolithic completely understood. In this paper, flotation and starch analyses were conducted on samples from eight archaeological sites in the upper and middle HRV. The results indicate that the mixed farming of rice and millet first appeared in the later phase of the middle Neolithic in the regions of the Peiligang Culture, then developed quite rapidly in the late Neolithic(6.8–5.0 ka BP), finally becoming the main subsistence economy at the end of the Neolithic in the upper HRV. However, there are obvious differences in the emergence and development of agriculture between the middle and upper HRV. Rice farming was the only agricultural system during the middle Neolithic, lasting until the end of the Neolithic, when mixed farming appeared in the middle HRV. Furthermore, although mixed farming appeared in both the upper and middle HRV during the end of the Neolithic, the roles of rice, foxtail millet and broomcorn millet in the subsistence economy were not the same. In general, millet was more widely cultivated than rice in the upper HRV, but rice occupied the same or a slightly more prominent position in the middle HRV at the end of the Neolithic. These results are significant for understanding the process of agricultural development and transformation, as well as human adaptation to climatic and cultural variability duringthe Neolithic.     

Changes of flow regimes and precipitation in Huai River Basin in the last half century

Huai River Basin, as the sixth largest river basin in China, has a high‐regulated river system and has been facing severe water problems. In this article, the changing patterns of runoff and precipitation at 10 hydrological stations from 1956 to 2000 on the highly regulated river (Shaying River) and less‐regulated river (Huai River) in the basin are evaluated at the monthly, seasonal and annual scales using the Mann–Kendall test and simple linear regression model. The results showed that: (1) No statistically significant trends of precipitation in the upper and middle Huai River Basins were detected at the annual scale, but the trend of annual runoff at Baiguishan, Zhoukou and Fuyang stations in Shaying River decreased significantly, whereas the others were not. Moreover, the decreasing trends of runoff for most months were significant in Shaying River, although the trend of monthly precipitation decreased significantly only in April in the whole research area and the number of months in the dry season having significantly decreasing trends in runoff was more than that in the wet season. (2) The rainfall–runoff relationship was significant in both highly regulated river and less‐regulated river. In regulated river, the reservoirs have larger regulation capacity than the floodgates and thus have the smaller correlation coefficient and t‐value. In Huai River, the correlation coefficients decreased from upper stream to downstream. (3) The regulation of dams and floodgates for flood control and water supply was the principal reason for the decreasing runoff in Huai River Basin, although the decreasing precipitation in April in this basin was statistically significant. The findings are useful for recognizing hydrology variation and will provide scientific foundation to integrated water resources management in Huai River Basin. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The earliest archaeobiological evidence of the broad-ening agriculture in China recorded at Xishanping site in Gansu Province

The crop types and agricultural characteristic are reconstructed using the archaeobiological proxies of pollen, seed and phytolith at Xishanping site in Gansu Province between 5250 and 4300 cal a BP. The agricultural activity strengthened in Xishanping from 5100 cal a BP. It appeared the earliest cultivation of prehistoric rice in the most northwest China at 5070 cal a BP. The sudden disappearance of conifers and expansion of chestnut trees is likely to be the result of selective hewing of conifers and cultivation of chestnuts at about 4600 cal a BP. There existed 8 crop types of foxtail millet, broomcorn millet, rice, wheat, barley, oats, soybean and buckwheat at Xishanping between 4650 and 4300 cal a BP, which cover the main crop types of the two origin centers of East and West Asia. Not only has the wheat and barley been approved to spread to northwestern China, but the earliest complexity agriculture in Neo-lithic China appeared in Tianshui, Gansu Province.     

Impact of environmental factors on water quality at multiple spatial scales and its spatial variation in Huai River Basin,China

Quantitative assessment of water quality and its spatial variation identification, as well as the discernment of primary factors affecting water quality are in its urgent in water environment management. In this study, four key water quality indicators,namely, ammonia nitrogen(NH_4~+-N), permanganate index(COD_(Mn)), total phosphorus(TP) and total nitrogen(TN) at 71 sampling sites were selected to evaluate water quality and its spatial variation identification. More concerns were emphasized on the anthropogenic factors(land use pattern) and natural factors(river density, elevation and precipitation) to quantify the overall water quality variations at different spatial scales. Results showed that the Yi-Shu-Si River sub-basin had a better water quality status than the Huai River sub-basin. The moderate polluted area nearly distributed in the upper and middle reaches of the Shaying River and Guo River. The high cluster centers which were surrounded with COD_(Mn), NH_4~+-N, TN and TP mainly also distributed in the upper and middle reaches of the Shaying River and Guo River. Redundancy analysis showed that the 200 m buffer area acted as the most sensitive area, which was easily subjected to pollution. The precipitation was identified as the most important variables among all the studied hydrological units, followed by farmland, urban land or elevation. The point source pollution was still existed although the non-point source pollution was also identified. The urban surface runoff pollution was severer than farmland fertilizer loss at the sub-basin scale in flood season, while the farmland showed "small-scale" effects for explaining overall water quality variations. This research is helpful for identifying the overall water quality variations from the scale-process interactions and providing a scientific basis for pollution control and decision making for the Huai River Basin.     

A preliminary study of early agriculture practices at the Haojiatai site in Luohe city,Henan Province

As the most fundamental economic sector of human societies,farming has played a significant role in interactions between humans and the environment.The study of crop patterns in various regions could not only clarify the economic foundations of early societies,but also greatly improve our understanding of interactions among human beings,the environment,and other creatures.In this regard,this study focuses on early agriculture practices at the Haojiatai site,situated in the cultural and natural transitional region between North and South China.Macro plant remains from this site reveal that foxtail millet was the most important staple crop here during the Longshan and Xinzhai periods(4300–3800 cal.yr BP),along with common millet and a small amount of rice and soybean.This crop pattern is in contrast to the ancient environmental conditions of this region,and cultural factors such as agriculture traditions and food preferences may have been more important in the formation process of this crop pattern.     

河南漯河郝家台遗址早期农业结构研究

农业是人类与环境联系最为紧密、互动最为频繁的领域之一,也是人类社会最为基础的经济部门.研究特定区域的居民如何选择其作物组合,对于探索早期社会经济基础和人类、环境与生物三者之间的互动关系都至关重要.本文选取位于我国自然地理南北过渡带的河南漯河郝家台遗址,从出土植物大遗存分析入手,揭示了当地在龙山文化至新砦期一直保持着以粟...     

Identifying spatio-temporal variation and controlling factors of chemistry in groundwater and river water recharged by reclaimed water at Huai River,North China

Reclaimed water is efficiently used to recover the dry river, but river water and groundwater may be impacted considering the water quality. Thus, it is critical to study the factors controlling water chemistry. Samples of reclaimed water, river and groundwater were collected monthly from January to September in 2010, in Huai River (North China). And samples were analyzed for major 15 physio-chemical parameters. Using hierarchical cluster analysis, 9 months are divided into two distinct groups, which show the clear temporal variation. In reclaimed water and river water, one group includes February, while the other includes other months. In shallow and deep groundwater, one group includes months from January to April, while the other encompasses others. Monitoring stations are classified into three groups. Group A with high value of ions and nitrogen (order: NH₄-N > NO₃-N > NO₂-N) includes reclaimed water and river water. Group B with moderate concentration and nitrogen (order: NO₃-N > NH₄-N > NO₂-N) includes all shallow groundwater and one deep groundwater. Group C with the low value and nitrogen (order: NO₃-N > NO₂-N > NH₄-N), includes two deep groundwater. Using multivariate analysis and ionic relationships, river water chemistry is found to be controlled by reclaimed water and evaporation process; chemistry in shallow groundwater and one deep groundwater, with type of Na–Ca(Mg)–HCO₃–Cl, is controlled by dissolution of calcite, carbonate weathering. Additionally, reactions of nitrification, denitrification and cation exchange occur in the infiltration of reclaimed water; chemistry in the other deep groundwater, with type of Ca–Mg–HCO₃–Cl, is controlled by dissolution of calcite, carbonate weathering and denitrification.     

华北地区MS≥6.5级地震震源断层参数的研究

本文根据地震和地震构造等资料，研究华北地区公元1300年以来MS≥6.5级地震的发震断裂的基本参数.利用1966年以来隆尧、海城、渤海和唐山等有仪器记录的地震的相关参数进行回归分析得出了地震烈度Ⅷ度区长轴长度与余震区长轴长度的回归关系式及震级与震源体破裂长度的回归关系式.用余震区长轴长度代替震源体的破裂长度，从而给出各次地震的震源断层破裂长度.利用地震测深的地壳结构构造剖面、地震序列的震源分布、壳内低速层和地壳上部的构造、盆地构造与居里面分布和已知地震震源分布等资料推断了震源破裂的上下界.基于一定的合理假定推导出了断层滑动角的估计方法，并应用于本研究区，得出了各次事件的断层滑动角.     

Comparison of daily and sub-daily SWAT models for daily streamflow simulation in the Upper Huai River Basin of China

Despite the significant role of precipitation in the hydrological cycle, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the impacts of the temporal resolution of rainfall inputs on the performance of SWAT (soil and water assessment tool) models in large-sized river basins. In this study, both daily and hourly rainfall observations at 28 rainfall stations were used as inputs to SWAT for daily streamflow simulation in the Upper Huai River Basin. Study results have demonstrated that the SWAT model with hourly rainfall inputs performed better than the model with daily rainfall inputs in daily streamflow simulation, primarily due to its better capability of simulating peak flows during the flood season. The sub-daily SWAT model estimated that 58 % of streamflow was contributed by baseflow compared to 34 % estimated by the daily model. Using the future daily and 3-h precipitation projections under the RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways) 4.5 scenario as inputs, the sub-daily SWAT model predicted a larger amount of monthly maximum daily flow during the wet years than the daily model. The differences between the daily and sub-daily SWAT model simulation results indicated that temporal rainfall resolution could have much impact on the simulation of hydrological process, streamflow, and consequently pollutant transport by SWAT models. There is an imperative need for more studies to examine the effects of temporal rainfall resolution on the simulation of hydrological and water pollutant transport processes by SWAT in river basins of different environmental conditions.     

Spatial distribution and temporal trends in daily and monthly precipitation concentration indices in the upper reaches of the Huai River, China

Understanding precipitation variations on various timescales and their correlations is important for assessment of flood risk and utilization of water resources. In this study, the spatial and temporal patterns of precipitation concentration in the upper reaches of the Huai River, China, were investigated using two indices: the precipitation concentration index (PCI) and the concentration index (CI) for measuring seasonality and daily heterogeneity using monthly and daily precipitation series, respectively. In particular, the trends of PCI and CI were tested by the Mann–Kendall method, and relationship among PCI, CI and percentage of precipitation contributed by the rainiest days was analyzed by the linear correlation analysis. The results show a significant seasonality of the rainfall distribution and very in homogeneous temporal distribution of the daily rainfall in the south part of the study area, especially in the three reservoirs. Positive trends in the PCI and CI were found at most stations, although none of the PCI trends were statistically significant. Daily heterogeneity of the rainfall in a year is highly correlated with the heavy rainfall amount of the 15 % rainiest days, and seasonality in rainfall distribution over a year can be partly explained by the daily rainfall heterogeneity.     

2003年淮河流域致洪暴雨过程的环流背景及其前兆信号

分析研究了2003年夏季淮河流域致洪暴雨过程的时空分布特征及其前期和同期欧亚地区环流背景的逐日变化特征,重点分析了致洪暴雨过程发生前后乌山地区阻塞高压强度指数(UBHII)逐日变化特征及其对淮河流域致洪暴雨过程的影响．结果表明：2003年淮河流域持续性强暴雨过程均发生在鸟山阻塞高压强高峰后的减弱期,即在淮河流域发生持续性强暴雨过程之前乌山阻塞高压就发生了突变;同时发现西太平洋副热带高压加强并登陆后的,其北界的位置变化对淮河流域致洪暴雨过程的发生和持续也有十分重要的作用．因此,乌拉尔山阻塞高压异常加强后的突然减弱和西太平洋副热带高压的加强并西进登陆,是淮河流域地区发生持续性暴雨过程的两个重要前兆．     

Improvement of SWAT2000 modelling to assess the impact of dams and sluices on streamflow in the Huai River basin of China

Hydrological simulation and assessment in a dam–sluice regulated river basin are a complex and challenging issue. In this article, an improved SWAT2000 modelling system was developed that incorporated the Shuffled complex evolution (SCE‐UA) optimization algorithm and the multi‐site and multi‐objective calibration strategy. The implication of multi‐objective is different for different types of outlets, i.e. streamflow for an ordinary outlet, inflow for a sluice, and water storage for a reservoir. Model parameters were redefined to improve model simulations. The surface runoff lag time (SURLAG) was extended as a spatially distributed parameter, and a correction coefficient was introduced to modify the saturated hydraulic conductivity. The modelling system was then applied to the Huai River basin of China under various climatic conditions, including a very dry year (1999), a dry year (1981), an average year (1971), and wet year (1991). In all, 26 dams and 35 sluices were considered, among which about 20 dams/sluices were used for model calibration. The impact assessment primarily focused on the very dry year (1999). The results indicated that the released water from large reservoirs was blocked in the river channels by sluices located downstream. In the very dry year, the dam–sluice operations could result in an increase of the runoff volume during the non‐flood season and a decrease in runoff during the flood season, but the changing magnitude during the non‐flood season was much greater. An important conclusion of this case study is that the sluices in the Sha‐Yin branch located in the north region and the dams in the southern mountainous region above the Wangjiaba Hydrological Station have played the most significant role in regulating the streamflow of the entire river basin. The methods addressed in this article can simulate hydrological regime in the river basins regulated by dams and sluices under different climatic conditions at the whole‐watershed scale. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Research on meteorological thresholds of drought and flood disaster: a case study in the Huai River Basin,China

Together with affected areas of crops from 1978 to 2008, the daily precipitation of 110 stations located in the Huai River Basin during 1959–2008 was used to study the critical conditions when drought and flood occur, based on which the quantitative relationship between the critical condition and the affected area of crops was further studied. Based on the research on the hazard-formative factor of precipitation and the damage degree of crops, the spatial-temporal characteristics of disasters were analyzed, the drought and flood disaster-causing threshold was determined, and the quantitative relationship between the disaster-causing threshold and affected area of crops was established. The results are as the follows: (1) During 1959–2008, extreme precipitation levels were high in the eastern and western part of the Huai River Basin and were low in its central part; the spatial distribution of the coefficient of variation (CV) differed greatly from average extreme precipitation: the series of most stations were located in the central basin, and especially there was a positive trend in Anhui and Henan Provinces. (2) The cumulative precipitation during the disaster period of each station was divided by its mean cumulative precipitation during the same period in 1959–2008 to obtain the disaster-causing threshold, which has shown a good effect on reflecting the actual grade and affected areas in disasters. (3) The relationship among disaster grade, disaster-causing threshold and damage area of crops was established; this threshold can be used as a tool for agricultural disaster assessment and early warning, and can effectively improve the ability to prevent and mitigate disaster in the Huai River Basin. (4) The disaster-causing threshold can be an important input parameter for hazard assessment; other underlying surface indicators can be good supplements for determining the threshold in hazard assessment.     

Transport of three herbicides in ground water at Twin Lake test site,Chalk River,Ontario, Canada

A field tracer test performed under natural flow conditions at the Twin Lake test site, Chalk River Laboratories of the Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. in Chalk River, Ontario, Canada, using tritium and three herbicides (Chlortoluron, Terbuthylazine, and Pendimethalin) was interpreted using the dispersion equation with a combined reaction model. The reaction model couples an instantaneous equilibrium reaction governed by a linear adsorption isotherm with a reversible or irreversible kinetic reaction of the first order, and decay. An improved interpretation method consists of a simultaneous fitting of theoretical concentration and mass-recovery curves to the experimental data, which leads to a more reliable determining of reaction models and improves the accuracy of fitting. Tritium served as the reference tracer to determine the flow velocity, dispersivity, and the recovery of the herbicides. Chlortoluron was slightly delayed by equilibrium exchange with strongly reduced concentration due to an irreversible kinetic reaction and/or decay. Terbuthilazine was slightly delayed by equilibrium exchange, with strongly reduced concentration due to a reversible kinetic reaction with some influence of decay. A strong equilibrium reaction and a strong reversible kinetic reaction without degradation governed the transport of Pendimethalin, reducing considerably its concentration. The results obtained show that simulations based only on Kd and decay constant, especially if these parameters are found in the laboratory, may considerably differ from those performed with reaction parameters determined in properly performed field tests. The dominant reaction types, and the values of parameters found in the study, supply useful information on the transport of the investigated herbicides in sandy aquifers under natural flow conditions.     

巴颜喀拉块体东边界千年破裂历史与2008年汶川、2013年芦山和2017年九寨沟地震

以巴颜喀拉块体东边界活动构造带为研究区,本文首先分析了该区最近一千多年的地震历史及强震活动随时间的变化,确定了2008年汶川M_S8.0地震、2013年芦山M_S7.0地震和2017年九寨沟M_S7.0地震这3次事件在这一强震活动历史中的位置,进而在圈绘长期强震破裂区图像的基础上鉴别主要活动断裂带上的地震空区。结果主要表明:研究区在最近约一千年中经历了一个强震轮回的3个阶段,包括一个平静期的后半部（1630年之前）、1630—1878年之间的过渡期以及1879年以来的强震期。后两个阶段可能代表了该构造带在经过更早、可能二三千年长的平静期或应变积累期之后出现的长达数百年、从“预释放”期（1630—1878年）到“主释放”期（1879年以来）的强震发生过程;在主释放期应变能释放呈明显加速,四川2008年汶川、2013年芦山以及2017年九寨沟地震是发生在主释放期中的3次最新事件,但是由这3次事件的发生还难以判断主释放期是否已经结束;已圈绘出研究区及其邻近地区若干活动断裂段上存在长期缺少大地震破裂的地震空区,未来仍应注意在这些地震空区再次发生大地震的危险性。      

Errors in determination of earthquake coordinates at the Garm test site

The coordinates of more than 90000 earthquakes at the Garm geophysical test site during the period of 1955–1991 calculated using three different algorithms are compared. On the basis of the results obtained, the location uncertainties of the earthquake sources are estimated and analyzed. The estimates are compared with the results of the previous investigations. A considerable spatial nonuniformity of systematic discrepancies of depths in the catalog versions calculated using different algorithms is revealed.     

Geospatial-temporal analysis of land-use changes in the Yellow River Delta during the last 40 years

Research on land use/land cover changes (LUCC)has been the core project of the Global EnvironmentalChanges since the 1990s[1—6]. Scientists at home andabroad have been laying emphasis on integrationstudies on land-use change by “space and process”features[7—10] as researches on LUCC are in a greatdeal. It is of paramount important for us to studyLUCC at various spatial-temporal scales and build aquantitative assessment of land-use conversion by in-tegrated spatial-temporal features. …