Spatio-temporal variations in ecological spaces and their ecological carrying status in China’s mega-urban agglomerations

Journal of Geographical Sciences - The rapid expansion of China’s urban agglomerations in recent decades has resulted in over-occupied ecological spaces and increased ecological pressure that...     

热带海温变化对云南初夏干湿转换季节雨量的影响

通过相关分析、诊断分析以及数值模拟试验来研究热带海温异常对云南初夏干温转换季节雨量变化的影响，研究表明前期热带海温异常对云南初夏干湿转换季节雨量有明显的影响，海温与雨量的显著关相关区与Walker环流的上升下沉支相对应。提前的时间尺度越长，海温所提供的可预报信息越少；时间尺度越短，提供的可预报信息越大。诊断分析及 数值模拟研究还表明在赤道中东太平洋的暖位相期，孟加拉湾地区的季风低压和初夏索马里附近的越赤道气流及印度洋西南季风减弱，反之则加强。海温变化通过海气相互作用影响到季风活动，从而对云南初夏干湿转换季节雨量产生影响。     

High-resolution modeling study of the Kuroshio path variations south of Japan

A high-resolution ocean general circulation model （OGCM） is used to investigate the Kuroshio path variations south of Japan. The model reproduces many important features of the Kuroshio system including its interannual bimodal variability south of Japan. A decreasing trend of the spatial averaged relative vorticity is detected when the Kuroshio takes the non-large meander （NLM） path, and during the transition period from the NLM to the large meander （LM）, a sudden release of velocity shear corresponds well to the weakening of the Shikoku recirculation gyre （SRG）, which plays a key role in modulating the Kuroshio path variations. Analysis of eddy energetics indicates that baroclinic instability is mainly responsible for the formation of the LM. In addition, further analysis shows that the strength of the SRG could be largely influenced by the baroclinic Rossby wave adjustment process, forced by the wind stress curl anomalies in the North Pacific basin, based on the model investigation. It is suggested that the cyclonic disturbances might account for the weakening of the SRG, and act as a remote trigger for the baroclinic instability of the Kuroshio south of Japan.     

Linking hydrological variations at local scales to regional climate teleconnection patterns

Climate patterns over preceding years affect seasonal water and moisture conditions. The linkage between regional climate and local hydrology is challenging due to scale differences, both spatially and temporally. In this study, variance, correlation, and singular spectrum analyses were conducted to identify multiple hydroclimatic phases during which climate teleconnection patterns were related to hydrology of a small headwater basin in Idaho, USA. Combined field observations and simulations from a physically based hydrological model were used for this purpose. Results showed statistically significant relations between climate teleconnection patterns and hydrological fluxes in the basin, and climate indices explained up to 58% of hydrological variations. Antarctic Oscillation (AAO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and Pacific North America (PNA) patterns affected mountain hydrology, in that order, by decreasing annual runoff and rain on snow (ROS) runoff by 43% and 26% during a positive phase of NAO and 25% and 9% during a positive phase of PNA. AAO showed a significant association with the rainfall-to-precipitation ratio and explained 49% of its interannual variation. The runoff response was affected by the phase of climate variability indices and the legacy of past atmospheric conditions. Specifically, a switch in the phase of the teleconnection patterns of NAO and PNA caused a transition from wet to dry conditions in the basin. Positive AAO showed no relation with peak snow water equivalent and ROS runoff in the same year, but AAO in the preceding year explained 24 and 25% (p < 0.05) of their variations, suggesting that the past atmospheric patterns are equally important as the present conditions in affecting local hydrology. Areas sheltered from the wind and acted as a source for snow transport showed the lowest (40% below normal) ROS runoff generation, which was associated with positive NAO that explained 33% (p < 0.01) of its variation. The findings of this research highlighted the importance of hydroclimatic phases and multiple year variations that must be considered in hydrological forecasts, climate projections, and water resources planning.     

Short Time-Scale Variability in the Light Curve of~TW~Draconis

We have re-analyzed old photometric UBV data obtained by Papoušek et al. at Skalnaté Pleso, Slovakia (1967–1980) and Brno, Czech Republic (1976–1979) observatories and analyzed new own CCD measurements (Brno, 2003–2005). In both set of photometric data the oscillations in the vicinity of the primary minimum were found. The detected periods are compatible with the previously published ones.     

1961-2008年京津冀地区暴雨的气候变化特征分析

利用北京市、天津市和河北省1961-2008年逐日台站降水资料,采用经验正交函数分解（empirical orthogonal function）、Morlet小波、曼-肯德尔（Mann-Kendall）突变检验等方法,统计分析了京津冀地区暴雨量及暴雨频次的气候变化特征。结果表明：气候态下,京津冀地区暴雨量及暴雨频次沿地形呈东南多—西北少的分布型,暴雨发生时间相对集中在7月下旬和8月上旬。1961-2008年京津冀大部分地区暴雨量呈减少的趋势,且在1980年发生显著突变,2000年代以后暴雨量进一步减少。小波功率谱分析结果表明,京津冀地区暴雨量主要存在2-4a的显著主周期。该地区暴雨量EOF展开的前3模态显示,暴雨量主要呈全区一致变化以及东西反向、南北反向的空间变化特征。     

MULTI-TIMESCALE VARIATIONS OF SOMALI JET AND ITS RELATION WITH PRECIPITATION IN CHINA

Based on the ERA reanalysis winds data, the multi-time scale variations of Somali jet are analyzed synthetically. The jet’s influences on rainfall in China on interannual, interdecadal and sub-monthly scales are also studied using correlation and composite analyses. The results demonstrate that the interdecadal variations of the jet are significant.The Somali jet became weaker in the 1960 s and became the weakest in the early 1970 s before enhancing slowly in the late 1970 s. Moreover, the relation between the Somali jet and summer precipitation in China is close, but varies on different timescales. Preliminary analysis shows that the intensity variations in May and June during the early days of establishment are well correlated with summer precipitation in China. The Somali jet intensity on the interdecadal scale is closely related with interdecadal variations of the precipitation in China. Regardless of leading or contemporaneous correlation, the correlations between the Somali jet intensity and the rainfall in northern and southern China show obvious interdecadal variations. Moreover, the link between the anomalies of the jet intensity in May-August and precipitation evolution on synoptic scale in China is further studied. China has more rainfall with positive anomalies of the Somali jet but less rainfall with negative anomalies during the active period of the jet. The influence of positive Somali jet anomalies on China precipitation is more evident.     

冬季北太平洋海气环流年代际异常的统计动力诊断

本文对冬季北太平洋大气和大洋环流做了联合复经验正交函数(CEOF)分解和小波分析, 并分别讨论了第一、二模态的年代际变化及其与海表温度异常(SSTA)年代际变化(PDO、NPGO模态)的关系, 得到以下主要结论:第一、二模态对时间系数的分析显示, 其与PDO、NPGO指数的相关性较高, 且小波分析表明其分别具有明显的准22、12年的年代际变化周期, 这与PDO、NPGO模态的周期相同;第一、二模态时间系数对北太平洋SSTA的回归分析表明, 其回归系数场的空间分布分别与PDO、NPGO的十分接近。第一、二模态空间场中大气环流异常分别类似于海平面气压异常(SLPA)的AL、NPO模态, 可分称其为AL、NPO的风场模;而大洋环流异常则分别相应于SSTA的PDO、NPGO模态, 可称其为PDO、NPGO的流场模。由第一、二模态近表层流场异常得到的垂直运动空间分布分别与PDO、NPGO的空间结构相似, 说明海洋上层海盆尺度大洋环流引起的垂直运动所导致的海温动力变化是形成PDO、NPGO的重要原因, 而大洋环流异常扮演着中介角色。     

Variations and statistical probability characteristic analysis of extreme precipitation events under climate change in Haihe River Basin,China

The magnitude and frequency of regional extreme precipitation events may have variability under climate change. This study investigates the time–space variability and statistical probability characteristics of extreme precipitation under climate change in the Haihe River Basin. Hydrological alteration diagnosis methods are implemented to detect the occurrence time, style and degree of alteration such as trend and jump in the extreme precipitation series, and stationarity and serial independence are tested prior to frequency analysis. Then, the historical extreme precipitation frequency and spatio‐temporal variations analyses are conducted via generalized extreme value and generalized Pareto distributions. Furthermore, the occurrence frequency of extreme precipitation events in future is analysed on the basis of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change multi‐mode climate models under different greenhouse gases emission scenarios (SRES‐A2, A1B and B1). Results indicate that (1) in the past, alteration of extreme precipitation mainly occurred in the area north of 38°N. Decreasing trends of extreme precipitation are detected at most stations, whereas jump alteration is not obvious at most stations. (2) Spatial variation of estimated extreme precipitation under different return periods shows similarity. Bounded by the Taihang Mountain–Yan Mountain, extreme rainfall in the Haihe River Basin gradually reduces from the southeast to the northwest, which is consistent with the geographical features of the Haihe River Basin. (3) In the future, extreme precipitation with return period 5–20 years accounts for a significant portion of the total occurrence times. The frequency of extreme precipitation events has an increase trend under A1B and A2 scenarios. The total occurrence times of extreme precipitation under A1B senario are not more than that under B1 senario until the 2030s. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.