Idealized Experiments for Optimizing Model Parameters Using a 4D-Variational Method in an Intermediate Coupled Model of ENSO

Large biases exist in real-time ENSO prediction, which can be attributed to uncertainties in initial conditions and model parameters. Previously, a 4 D variational(4 D-Var) data assimilation system was developed for an intermediate coupled model(ICM) and used to improve ENSO modeling through optimized initial conditions. In this paper, this system is further applied to optimize model parameters. In the ICM used, one important process for ENSO is related to the anomalous temperature of subsurface water entrained into the mixed layer(T_e), which is empirically and explicitly related to sea level(SL) variation.The strength of the thermocline effect on SST(referred to simply as "the thermocline effect") is represented by an introduced parameter, αT_e. A numerical procedure is developed to optimize this model parameter through the 4 D-Var assimilation of SST data in a twin experiment context with an idealized setting. Experiments having their initial condition optimized only,and having their initial condition plus this additional model parameter optimized, are compared. It is shown that ENSO evolution can be more effectively recovered by including the additional optimization of this parameter in ENSO modeling.The demonstrated feasibility of optimizing model parameters and initial conditions together through the 4 D-Var method provides a modeling platform for ENSO studies. Further applications of the 4 D-Var data assimilation system implemented in the ICM are also discussed.     

Fresh thing for freshman: Exploring a blended method on teaching the history of geographic thought

It is necessary for undergraduates majoring in geography to learn the history of geographic thought. Although there are different cultural and educational backgrounds between China and the West, teaching methods such as text teaching, students’ presentations and group learning are suitable for most of teachers and students even from different countries and regions. The blended method is helpful to popularize history of geographic thought and improve the level of teaching and learning. Owing to lack of the class on the history of geographic thought in countries like China, the authors try to explore a blended method for the first-year geography undergraduates and to assess the effects of this teaching based on some questionnaires. The students have different benefits and responses to this class. A special group consisting of one teacher and several undergraduates does the research and coauthors the paper through making questionnaire, interviewing and analyzing materials from 67 freshmen majoring in human geography and geography science (teacher-training) in China. For the undergraduates especially from the countries like China, it is well worth making the history of geographic thought become a necessary and interesting class.     

Trade-offs and Synergies of Ecosystem Services in Karst Area of China Driven by Grain-for-Green Program

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.     

中国干旱区恢复生态学研究进展及趋势评述

本文评述了中国干旱区恢复生态学研究的历程和特点,系统分析了其研究前沿和未来发展趋势.国家重大需求推动了干旱区恢复生态学研究,植被建设是生态恢复的主要方法和手段;植被分布的地带性规律、土壤生境的恢复、生态水文互馈机理、植物水分关系、生物土壤结皮、基于模型的预测模拟是未来研究的重点;地学与生物学的学科交叉融合为干旱区恢复生态学理论创新和生态恢复实践提供了新的思路和途径.     

海洋三维温盐流数值模拟研究的有关进展和问题

就海洋三维温盐流数值模拟使用的海洋模式和数据同化方法、在中尺度数值预报和再分析中的应用,以及所需支撑条件三方面,简述了国内外研究有关进展和问题。表述了开展大范围分辨中尺度乃至次中尺度涡的高分辨率海洋三维温盐流数值模拟正在研究的有关问题,扼要说明提供相匹配的高性能计算机模拟平台的必要性。初步探讨制约该研究快速发展的有关问题。     

A new nudging scheme for the current operational climate prediction system of the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center of China

A new nudging scheme is proposed for the operational prediction system of the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center(NMEFC) of China, mainly aimed at improving El Ni?o–Southern Oscillation(ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole(IOD) predictions. Compared with the origin nudging scheme of NMEFC, the new scheme adds a nudge assimilation for wind components, and increases the nudging weight at the subsurface. Increasing the nudging weight at the subsurface directly improved the simulation performa...     

中更新世气候转型期西太平洋暖池的表层海水温度和氧同位素变化

通过对大洋钻探(ODP)第130航次807站A孔井深12.54～16.38m沉积物中浮游和底栖有孔虫的稳定同位素δ18 O以及浮游有孔虫壳体的Mg/Ca测试,揭示了中更新世气候转型期(800～1 000kaBP)西太平洋暖池表层海水温度和氧同位素的变化。研究发现,中更新世时期ODP 807站的表层海水温度在25.1～30.9℃之间浮动,平均为28.4℃,接近现代暖池区实测温度值,冰期/间冰期之间的温度差值在1.5～5℃左右,与晚第四纪时的温差相近;同时,表层海水温度和底栖有孔虫氧同位素呈现同步变化的趋势,没有明显的超前或滞后的相位关系,区别于前人在暖池区的研究结果。间冰期时,表层海水温度上升伴随着温跃层变深、盐度降低,与现代西太平洋暖池La Ni珘na状态类似;冰期时则类似于El Ni珘no状态。中更新世气候转型期,西太平洋暖池的表层海水温度、温跃层深度变化受低纬热带驱动影响,都显示出强烈的岁差周期(16.8ka),而底层水氧同位素更多受到高纬的影响。     

生物土壤结皮研究：进展、前沿与展望

生物土壤结皮是由隐花植物和相关土壤微小生物与表层土壤颗粒胶结而形成的复合体,与维管束植物覆盖一样,它是干旱区地表的重要覆盖类型(其盖度达40%)。生物土壤结皮是荒漠生态系统组成和地表景观的重要特征,在不同生物气候区的荒漠景观过程、土壤生态过程、土壤水文过程、土壤生物过程和地球化学循环过程,以及干旱半干旱地区生态修复过程中发挥着重要作用。关于生物土壤结皮的研究是地学和生物学学科交叉的前沿研究领域,已成为国际干旱区地表过程研究的重要核心科学问题之一。综述了国内外该领域最新研究进展,分析了研究的趋势,讨论了其前沿科学问题和未来研究的重点,以期促进我国生物土壤结皮的研究,加深对我国干旱半干旱区地表过程的认识。