Extinction versus backscatter relationships for lidar applications at 351 nm: maritime and desert aerosol simulations and comparison with observations

Functional relationships linking at λ₀=351 nm aerosol extinction α_λ0^aer and backscatter coefficient β_λ0^aer of maritime and desert type aerosols are determined to allow for inversion of the single-wavelength lidar signals. Such relationships are derived as mean behavior of 20,000 extinction versus backscatter computations, performed for aerosol size distributions and compositions whose describing parameters are randomly chosen within the naturally observed variability. For desert-type aerosols, the effect of the particle non-sphericity is considered and it is shown that the extinction to backscatter ratio of non-spherical dust particles can be up to 60% larger than the values obtained for spherical particles. Aerosol extinction and backscatter coefficient profiles obtained inverting the single-wavelength lidar signal with the modeled relationships are then compared to the same profiles measured by a combined elastic-Raman lidar operating at 351 nm. Analytical back trajectories and satellite images are used to characterize advection patterns during lidar measurements and to properly choose the modeled functional relationship. A good accordance between the two techniques is found for advection patterns over the lidar site typical of maritime and dust conditions. Maximum differences between the model-based α_λ0^aer and β_λ0^aer vertical profiles and the corresponding ones measured by the combined elastic-Raman lidar technique are of 30% and 40% in maritime and desert dust conditions, respectively. The comparison of elastic-Raman lidar measurements and model-based results also reveals that particle non-sphericity must be taken into account when mineral dust-type aerosols are directly advected over the measurement site.     

古尔班通古特沙漠南部防护体系建成10 a来的生境变化与植物自然定居

 于2000—2009年对古尔班通古特沙漠南部防护体系内的生境变化与自然定居植物进行了系统观测和研究。结果表明,草方格及人工植被相结合的综合防护体系可以有效固定重大工程扰动地表。防护体系建成初期,土壤水分条件好于原始地表,为人工林的生长和植物自然定居创造了良好条件。防护体系建成10 a后,土壤理化性质得到有效改善,普遍形成了地衣结皮,但土壤水分出现了减少的趋势。在未经扰动的原始地表,总计有植物48种,其中短命植物30种。防护体系建成初期自然定居植物仅有8种,10 a后多达33种,其中短命植物达到21种。定居植物多度由初期的1.4株·m-2增加到10 a后的14株·m-2,其中短命植物占到自然定居植物总株数的85％,很少观测到自然定居的乔灌木。自然定居植物呈明显的差异性分布,与风向对种源的影响密切相关。随着草本植物的进入、生物结皮的形成和土壤水分的减少,人工植被的稳定性问题尚需进一步研究和探讨。     

Paedomorphosis and shell-colour polymorphism of a desert landsnail

Environmentally-driven paedomorphosis, the retention of juvenile characteristics by adults, is an overlooked alternative to adaptive genetic hypotheses regarding shell colour in landsnails. We previously considered two adaptive explanations of shell-colour polymorphism in the desert landsnailTrochoidea simulata, namely temperature and predation. However, neither of these factors adequately explained this colour variation. We subsequently described the importance of available CaCO₃as the driving force underlying colour variation in this species. Here we consider the consequences of differential access to CaCO₃by individuals of different colour morphs. We describe variation in shell shape of different colour morphs, and conclude that shell-colour variation in this species is a consequence of paedomorphosis in brown individuals. Individuals may change colour ontogenetically from brown to white, while some remain brown-shelled throughout their lives. Brown snails, like juveniles, are thin- and flat-shelled, and have relatively larger apertures than white snails. This paedomorphosis is environmentally-based, being correlated with soil CaCO₃content.     

Climatic influences on Holocene variations in soil erosion rates on a small hill in the Mojave Desert

A detailed study of a small hill in NE Mojave Desert in eastern California was conducted to elucidate the effect of climate on the variations in soil erosion rates through Holocene. Field surveys and sampling were carried out to obtain information on topography, geomorphology, soil and vegetation conditions, seismic refraction, sediment deposition, and hillslope processes. Integration of this information allowed reconstruction of the hill topography at the end of the Pleistocene, deduction of the evolution of the hill from the end of the Pleistocene to the present, and estimation of total soil losses resulting from various hillslope processes. The estimates are consistent with the premise that early Holocene climate change resulted in vegetation change, soil destabilization, and topographic roughening. Current, very slow, hillslope transport rates (e.g., 5 mm ky⁻¹ by rodent burrowing, a presently important transport form) appear inconsistent with the inferred total soil loss rate (31 mm ky⁻¹). Packrat midden studies imply that the NE Mojave Desert experienced enhanced monsoonal precipitation in the early Holocene, presumably accentuating soil loss. Water erosion on one slope of the hill was simulated using Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP), a process-based erosion model, using 4 and 6 ky of precipitation input compatible with an appropriate monsoonal climate and the present climate, respectively. The WEPP-predicted soil losses for the chosen slope were compatible with inferred soil losses. Identification of two time periods within the Holocene with distinct erosion characteristics may provide new insight into the current state of Mojave Desert landform evolution.     

阿拉善荒漠三个草地类牧草中化学元素特点的研究

对阿拉善荒漠微温干旱、微温极干和暖温极干三个草地类９科４４种牧草中常量元素（Ｎ、Ｃａ、Ｐ）和微量元素（Ｆｅ、Ｍｎ、Ｚｎ、Ｃｕ、Ｃｏ、Ｍｏ、Ｓｅ）含量的变化特征、丰缺程度和生物吸收序列的研究结果表明，该区不同科牧草中各元素的含量变幅很大，但其吸收各元素多寡的趋势基本一致。     

古尔班通古特沙漠风沙地貌研究进展评述

古尔班通古特沙漠是中国最大的固定、半固定沙漠,也是中国境内受西风环流影响最明显的沙漠之一.本文简介古尔班通古特沙漠风沙地貌的研究历史,综述区域风况和输沙势特征、主要沙丘类型分布格局、风沙物质来源、沙丘粒度特征、沙漠环境演变和纵向沙垄发育模式以及现代沙丘动态变化等方面的研究进展,指出研究中存在的问题并展望未来研究方向.     

乌兰布和沙漠人工绿洲沙害综合控制技术体系

将乌兰布和沙漠绿洲分为绿洲生态经济核心区、绿洲-荒漠生态缓冲区和自然荒漠生态恢复区3个功能区,基于各功能区的地貌、植被、土壤及沙害特征与沙源,立足因地制宜规划、因害设防整治的设计思想,提出“流沙固阻带、封沙育草带、防风阻沙带、绿洲防护林网”四带一体的综合防治体系防御流沙入侵,采用工程、农艺等应急措施体系控制绿洲内土壤风蚀和零星流沙的危害,为人工绿洲沙害的综合控制提供了科学依据。     

咸水灌溉对塔里木沙漠公路防护林植物生长的影响

通过不同矿化度成水造林实验和对塔里木沙漠公路防护林工程沿线不同矿化度水灌溉林地进行定位调查,选取成活率、株高、冠幅、地径、地上生物量及结实状况等反映造林苗木生长状况的常规指标,分析了不同矿化度成水灌溉对乔木沙拐枣(Calligonum arborescons)、梭梭(Haloxyloammodendron)和多枝柽柳(...     

古尔班通古特沙漠固定与半固定沙丘成因初探

处于干旱荒漠区的古尔班通古特沙漠因降水、冬季的积雪、悬湿砂层、丘间地和背风坡的植被、沙丘表层微弱的分化、砂物质粒度等因素的综合影响 ,以固定和半固定沙丘为主。由于沙丘的稳定性差 ,人类活动过程中应加强对它的保护。     

沙漠环境对沙漠公路工程的影响

沙漠地区自然环境严酷，风沙活动对沙漠公路的影响贯彻于各个施工阶段，为获得沙漠工程环境因子及其影响的定量认识，采用二次矩阵方法对公路工程环境影响的程度进行量化评价并提出环境对策。