Authority in Charge: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Sponsored by: Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and
                    Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences;
                    Soil Science Society of China
Editor in Chief: Lei Jiaqiang
Started in: 1984, Monthly
CN: CN 65-1095/X
ISSN: ISSN 1001-4675
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15 April 2025, Volume 42 Issue 4 Previous Issue   
Weather and Climate
Interdecadal variations and influencing factors in the leading modes of summer precipitation in Xinjiang
LIU Jing, ZHENG Yulin, LIU Yan, LI Hanwei
2025, 42 (4):  577-588.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.01
Abstract ( 187 )   HTML ( 35 )   PDF (19295KB) ( 125 )  

To investigate the formation mechanisms and potential external forcing impacts of the dominant summer precipitation patterns in Xinjiang, this study analyzed precipitation data from 89 stations spanning 1979 to 2023 using the sliding Empirical Orthogonal Function method. The evolutionary traits of these patterns were explored through a comparative analysis of precipitation patterns, circulation configurations, and correlated variations in sea surface temperature (SST) and snow cover. The results show that the main mode of summer precipitation in Xinjiang shifted around 2005 from a region-wide consistent pattern to a western-southern Xinjiang pattern. The distribution of regionally consistent high (low) precipitation was closely related to the strong (weakened) Ural blocking highs, active (attenuated) Central Asian vortex, strong (weak) Bay of Bengal anticyclone, and the positive (negative) phase of the East Asia-Pacific Remote Correlation (EAP). The abnormal circulation patterns at high, middle, and low latitudes led to the strengthening (weakening) of four key water vapor conveyor belts originating from the Arctic Ocean, the Northwest Pacific Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the Aral Sea. The SST anomalies in the equatorial Middle Eastern Pacific Ocean, the tropical Indian Ocean Basin-Wide, and the North Atlantic Triple influenced the circulation anomalies. The high (low) precipitation of the western-southern Xinjiang pattern was mainly influenced by the anticyclone-cyclone (cyclone-anticyclone) radial dipole wave train from the Caspian Sea to Lake Baikal as well as the strengthening (weakening) of the Tashkent low vortex. The pattern correlated significantly with the dipole anomaly of more east than west (less east than west) of the previous winter’s snow cover in Eastern Europe and Western Siberia. The snow cover anomalies in key areas can be induced by the “snow cover, soil moisture, and atmosphere feedback” process forming a zonal dipole wave train from West Siberia to Lake Baikal and a meridional triple wave train from Eastern Europe to the Iranian Plateau. These wave trains adjusted the east-west wind convergence and divergence anomalies in northern Xinjiang and altered the intensity change in the Tashkent low vortex, establishing a physical mechanism that affected the distribution of precipitation in western-southern Xinjiang.

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Spatiotemporal variations in drought conditions in Xinjiang based on TVDI
LI Xiaopeng, LI Kang, LEI Shuang, JIA Fugui, XU Jing
2025, 42 (4):  589-599.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.02
Abstract ( 141 )   HTML ( 25 )   PDF (13937KB) ( 81 )  

Drought is a significant factor affecting the ecological stability and agricultural productivity of Xinjiang. Timely drought monitoring is crucial for ensuring food security in the region. This study constructed the TVDI based on the Land Surface Temperature and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index derived from the MODIS data between 2001 and 2020. This study explores the spatial distribution characteristics of drought in Xinjiang and its potential future evolution trends. The results indicate that: (1) On average, 78.7% of the region experiences drought of varying degrees, with a mean TVDI of 0.58 over the past two decades, suggesting a generally mild drought. (2) Future drought conditions in Xinjiang are expected to ease, with a TVDI decline rate of 0.0017 per year, and 81% of the region showing a trend toward increasing moisture levels. (3) TVDI correlates weakly with meteorological factors but strongly with elevation. When the degree of drought is relatively high, unused land contributes significantly to the TVDI, whereas grassland contributes significantly to the TVDI when the degree of drought is relatively low. Additionally, the unused land area correlates positively with drought, whereas forest and grassland areas correlate negatively with drought. These findings highlight the importance of reducing unused land and expanding forest and grassland areas to mitigate drought conditions.

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Formation mechanism and energy source of a heavy rainfall event in the eastern northwest region
SHI Xia, LIU Weicheng, CHEN Xiaoyan, HUANG Yuxia, TAN Dan, WU Jiye
2025, 42 (4):  600-612.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.03
Abstract ( 122 )   HTML ( 14 )   PDF (17007KB) ( 59 )  

This study analyzes the spatial and temporal distribution, circulation patterns, and water vapor transport characteristics of a heavy precipitation event in Longnan City, Gansu Province, on July 10, 2020, using hourly precipitation observations and ERA5 reanalysis data. Additionally, atmospheric moisture energy (MSE) was introduced to investigate the unstable energy sources of convective activity, providing a new perspective for the re-evaluation and diagnosis of severe convective weather in the northwest region, as well as new reference indicators for business forecasting. The results show that: (1) The heavy precipitation exhibited high intensity, obvious locality, and strong convection. At 500 hPa, the plateau shortwave trough facilitated the convergence of cold and warm air, while at 700 hPa, the southerly airflow combined with cyclonic shear provided favorable conditions for water vapor transport and dynamic uplift. (2) The occurrence of heavy precipitation was accompanied by MSE charging and discharging. The MSE accumulates continuously before the peak of heavy precipitation, putting the atmosphere in a charging state. After peaking, the MSE significantly decreased, and the atmosphere was in a state of energy release. (3) The mechanisms of atmospheric charging differed by vertical height, with vertical MSE transport in the lower troposphere contributing positively, whereas horizontal advection contributing negatively. Horizontal advection, particularly meridional advection, positively contributed to the middle layer, whereas vertical transport contributed negatively. The increase in MSE transport in the upper troposphere is mainly driven by meridional advection. (4) The vertical transport of water vapor influenced the MSE in the lower troposphere, whereas the latent heat energy from water vapor controlled MSE in the middle layer. The meridional advection of water vapor increases the MSE due to abnormal southerly winds. High-level MSE is dominated by the internal energy term, and the main contribution to the increase in MSE is the meridional advection caused by the combination of westerly winds and temperature gradients that are warm in the west and cold in the east.

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Significance of surface soil magnetic susceptibility in the Tengger Desert
HUO Binyu, GUO Benhong, LIU Chengying, XU Hengming, JIANG Yuqiang
2025, 42 (4):  613-621.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.04
Abstract ( 97 )   HTML ( 11 )   PDF (5844KB) ( 68 )  

The magnetic susceptibility of soils is crucial for paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic studies. However, debate persists regarding whether soil magnetic susceptibility can serve for paleoprecipitation reconstruction or reflects changes in prevenance in arid regions. To address this issue, new magnetic measurements were conducted on modern soil samples across the Tengger Desert, on the edge of the East Asian summer monsoon region. The weak correlation between the soil magnetic susceptibility, frequency-dependent susceptibility, and modern mean annual precipitation (R2=0.01 and 0.02) suggests that precipitation is not the primary factor driving variations in the surface soil magnetic susceptibility in the Tengger Desert. Conversely, distinct magnetic differences among arid regions indicate that soil magnetic susceptibility can differentiate between origin areas. These findings underscore the need for careful interpretation of soil magnetic susceptibility when conducting climate and environmental research in arid regions.

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Land and Water Resources
Research on the alert area of Kyagar Glacier-dammed Lake outburst floods in the Karakoram Mountains
LUO Xi, Alimujiang KASIMU, LIU Ying, BAO Anming, YUAN Ye, YU Tao
2025, 42 (4):  622-636.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.05
Abstract ( 107 )   HTML ( 21 )   PDF (24349KB) ( 50 )  

The periodic outburst floods from the Kyagar Glacier-dammed Lake pose a severe threat to downstream areas. In the context of global warming, research on monitoring and early warning for the Kyagar Glacier-dammed Lake is particularly important. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the alert area for the Kyagar Glacier-dammed Lake outburst floods. The area changes and sudden drainage events of the lake were first analyzed using multi-source optical remote sensing data from 1990-2023. Then, the critical minimum drainage volume of the lake was calculated using an area-volume empirical formula and historical flood data. At the same time, the rationality of the alert area was verified through the relationship between the drainage volume and the net flood peak discharge established in this study. The results showed that the lake experienced 20 sudden drainage events over the past 34 years, 17 of which led to glacial lake outburst floods. The periods 1996-2009 and 2015-2019 were unstable, with repeated lake filling and draining. The alert area for the outburst floods of the Kyagar Glacier-dammed Lake is 1.046 km2, and the alert net flood peak discharge resulting from the sudden drainage is 418 m3·s-1. Although the lake area shows a decreasing trend, the risk of flood disasters triggered by the Kyagar Glacier-dammed Lake outburst floods does not necessarily decrease. The lake outburst flood, when superimposed on high basic runoff, can still threaten downstream areas. When the lake area approaches its alert area, it is necessary to monitor its changes closely and implement early warning measures in combination with the basic runoff at the hydrological station. The proposed alert lake area and its determination method may provide scientific support for early warning monitoring of the outburst flood of the Kyagar Glacier-dammed Lake and offer guidance for early warning of flood disasters in the Yarkand River Basin.

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Soil nutrient characteristics of 30-year aerial seeding plantations in the northeastern margin of Tengger Desert
FAN Hao, TANG Guodong, ZHAO Zhenyu, LI Jinrong, DENG Chuntao, WANG Haibing
2025, 42 (4):  637-645.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.06
Abstract ( 101 )   HTML ( 9 )   PDF (8559KB) ( 23 )  

This study investigated the effect of vegetation restoration on soil nutrient accumulation in 1992 in the northeastern margin of the Tengger Desert. To provide a theoretical basis for vegetation construction in arid areas, this study analyzed the changes and cumulative effects of soil nutrients in the Calligonum mongolicum community and the mixed community (Hedysarum scoparium+C. mongolicum) in the aerial seeding area. (1) Vegetation restoration significantly increased the soil nutrient content in the aerial seeding area. Soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium in the soil of the C. mongolicum community and the mixed community increased by 60%-105%, 123%-161%, 129%-149%, and 145%-261%, respectively. The increase in the C. mongolicum community was significantly higher than that in the mixed community and the bare sand control (P< 0.05). The vertical distribution of nutrients revealed a surface accumulation effect; the content of the soil layer 0-10 cm from the surface was significantly higher than that of the soil layer 150-200 cm from the surface. (2) The two communities had a positive effect on nutrient accumulation in the soil layer 0-200 cm from the surface, and the effect decreased with increasing depth (P<0.05). The mean positive effect of the C. monogolicum community (0.39) was significantly higher than that of the mixed community (0.29). (3) The soil nutrient recovery indexes of the C. mongolicum and mixed communities were 62.19% and 51.63%, respectively. The results demonstrated that soil nutrients were significantly improved after 30 years of aerial seeding afforestation in the northeastern margin of the Tengger Desert. The C. mongolicum community promoted nutrient accumulation slightly better than did the mixed community, supporting the stable maintenance of artificial sand-fixing vegetation in arid areas.

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Patterns of soil phosphorous fractions across a chronosequence of Robinia pseudoacacia plantations in the loess region of western Shanxi Province
LU Shanhong, BI Huaxing, ZHAO Danyang, GUAN Ning, HAN Jindan
2025, 42 (4):  646-657.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.07
Abstract ( 98 )   HTML ( 4 )   PDF (6749KB) ( 36 )  

This study examines Robinia pseudoacacia plantations of different stand ages (18, 22, 26, 30, 33, and 40 years) in the Caijiachuan watershed of Jixian County, located in the Loess Plateau region of western Shanxi. Using the Hedley phosphorous fractionation method, we investigated the distribution patterns of soil phosphorous fractions (H2O-P, NaHCO3-P, NaOH-P, D.HCl-P, C.HCl-P, and Residual-P) in the 0-100 cm soil layer across different stand ages. This study clarifies how soil phosphorous fractions change with stand age and explores the influence of soil physicochemical properties on these changes. The results showed that the average total phosphorous content at 0-100 cm soil depth followed this trend: 30 a (590.44 mg·kg-1)>26 a (571.68 mg·kg-1)>22 a (527.05 mg·kg-1)>18 a (517.83 mg·kg-1)>33 a (490.71 mg·kg-1)>40 a (464.49 mg·kg-1). The distribution of phosphorous fractions in the soil followed the order: stable phosphorous>residual phosphorous>moderately active phosphorous>active phosphorous. Each phosphorous fraction initially increased and then decreased with stand age, peaking in the 30-year-old plantation. Additionally, as the soil depth increased, both total phosphorous and phosphorous fractions decreased. Redundancy analysis revealed that soil total nitrogen content and soil pH were the primary factors influencing the phosphorous fraction variations. These findings suggest that in the early stages of afforestation, soil phosphorous fractions gradually accumulate in R. pseudoacacia plantations, peaking at middle stand ages. However, as the stand age increases, phosphorous limitation becomes more pronounced, leading to a gradual decline in phosphorous fractions after maturing. Therefore, from the perspective of phosphorous limitation, appropriate phosphorous fertilization at around 30 years of age can effectively mitigate phosphorous deficiency in mature R. pseudoacacia plantations in the Loess Plateau region of western Shanxi Province.

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Effects of three plant-based sand-fixing agents on water infiltration and evaporation in aeolian sandy soil
LIU Yue, GUO Qiang, YUAN Limin, DANG Xiaohong, MENG Zhongju, DONG Jing
2025, 42 (4):  658-667.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.08
Abstract ( 107 )   HTML ( 10 )   PDF (8230KB) ( 24 )  

Plant-based sand-fixing agents are ecofriendly materials that effectively stabilize sand without polluting the soil, and their decomposition products promote plant growth. This study investigated the physical characteristics of consolidated layers formed by plant-based sand-fixing agents and their effects on soil water movement in sandy farmland using water infiltration and evaporation simulation experiments with three plant-based sand-fixing agents (Artemisia desertorum, flax, and black locust) and six application rates (0.5 g·m-2, 1.0 g·m-2, 2.0 g·m-2, 3.0 g·m-2, 4.0 g·m-2, and 5.0 g·m-2). Wind-sand soil sprayed with the same amount of pure water served as the control (CK). The results showed the following: (1) The soil physical properties were altered. The compressive strength of the consolidated layer was in the order of black locust >flax >Artemisia desertorum>CK. The average compressive strength of the consolidated layer treated with the three agents increased by 109.38%, 95.06%, and 58.46% compared with CK, respectively. The compressive strength of the same agent increased with concentration. Soil bulk density increased with higher application rates, with a maximum increase of 3.76% compared with CK. Meanwhile, the total porosity and saturated and minimum water-holding capacity decreased by up to 44.55%, 47.65%, and 53.62%, respectively, compared with CK. (2) The water infiltration rate was effectively reduced. The infiltration times were as follows: flax (29.53 min)≈black locust (29.52 min) >Artemisia desertorum (29.03 min) >CK (26.08 min). As the application rate increased, the infiltration time showed a U-shaped trend for black locust and flax agents, whereas Artemisia desertorum increased gradually. (3) The soil water evaporation rates were significantly reduced. For all three agents, the application rates of 2.0-4.0 g·m-2 demonstrated the most pronounced effects. (4) Application rates of 2.0-4.0 g·m-2 improved water retention and prevented excessively slow water infiltration. This study provides theoretical support for the exploration of new sand-fixing agents and their application in the prevention of wind erosion in sandy farmland soils.

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Ecology and Environment
Driving factors analysis and multi-scenario simulation of land use change based on GeoDetector-Mixed-cell Cellular Automata: A case of the Gansu section in the Yellow River Basin
ZHANG Yan, YANG Weixin, LYU Tao
2025, 42 (4):  668-681.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.09
Abstract ( 137 )   HTML ( 9 )   PDF (20342KB) ( 173 )  

Land resources are the most fundamental production factors for human survival and development. Investigating the driving factors of land use change and simulating future land use scenarios are of great significance for regional sustainable development. Taking the Gansu section in the Yellow River Basin as the research area, this paper, based on multi-source data, employs methods such as the land use transfer matrix, GeoDetector, and the Mixed-cell Cellular Automata (MCCA) model to reveal the evolution characteristics of land use and conduct multi-scenario simulations for 2035. The results are as follows: (1) From 2000-2020, the land use/cover in the research area mainly comprised cultivated land, forest land, and grassland. The extent of forest and grassland cover was relatively high, and the area of cultivated land decreased significantly. Moreover, the conversion between cultivated land and grassland was the most obvious. (2) The dominant factors influencing land use change of the Gansu section in the Yellow River Basin include elevation, temperature, precipitation, distance from rural settlements, and population density. The q-values of the interaction effects of all driving factors have increased. (3) The MCCA model exhibits high simulation accuracy, with an overall accuracy of 0.903. In 2035, the simulation results vary among scenarios. Under the natural evolution scenario, cultivated land and unused land contract, while other land types expand. Under the cultivated land protection scenario, the current stock of cultivated land is maintained, but the area of grassland decreases significantly. In the ecological priority scenario, the areas of forest land and grassland increase significantly. The economic development scenario is manifested in a more aggressive development paradigm, under which construction land experiences a remarkable expansion. The research results provide references for land management and high-quality development of the Gansu section in the Yellow River Basin.

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Research and prediction of the degree of coupling coordination of water resources, socioeconomic development, and the ecological environment: A case of the Inner Mongolia section in the Yellow River Basin
MENG Qingshuai, GONG Yu, LIU Xiaoyan, TONG Xin, WANG Dongmin, XIE Guoying, LIU Tingxi
2025, 42 (4):  682-694.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.10
Abstract ( 140 )   HTML ( 8 )   PDF (10236KB) ( 36 )  

With rapid socioeconomic development, competition between human activities and the natural environment has intensified significantly, making the balance between socioeconomic development and environmental protection critical. This study constructs a coupling coordination model for a water resources-socioeconomic-ecological environment system to assess the coordination status of the Inner Mongolia section in the Yellow River Basin from 1998 to 2022. Additionally, an improved LSTM model is employed to predict the development trends over the next five years under four integrated regulation scenarios. The results indicate that: (1) The evaluation indices of the water resources, socioeconomic, and ecological environment subsystems across cities in the Yellow River Basin are 0.47-0.57, 0.47-0.87, and 0.42-0.58, respectively, reflecting moderate overall coordination level in the water resources and ecological environment subsystems, whereas the socioeconomic subsystem exhibits relatively higher values but still has room for improvement. (2) The coupling coordination degree of the system in each city shows a gradual upward trend (0.67-0.80), with an overall increase of 19%. (3) Future scenario predictions reveal that joint regulation of water resources and socioeconomic factors leads to the most significant improvements in Alxa, Bayannur, and Ulanqab, whereas joint regulation of socioeconomic and ecological environment factors yields the greatest improvements in Wuhai. Meanwhile, joint regulation of water resources and the ecological environment proves most effective in Baotou, Hohhot, and Ordos.

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Evolution of spatiotemporal patterns and multiscenario simulation of land use transition in Gansu Province
WANG Liyuan, ZHANG Yong
2025, 42 (4):  695-707.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.11
Abstract ( 133 )   HTML ( 21 )   PDF (12091KB) ( 57 )  

Exploring the transition situation of land use in ecologically significant but underdeveloped areas is crucial for promoting urban-rural integration and achieving regional sustainable development. Using the land use data from five time points in Gansu Province from 2000 to 2020, this study analyzed the quantitative distribution, spatial patterns, and mutual transfer of land use types. The Future Land Use Simulation model was used to simulate the land use transformation under four scenarios of inertia development, urban-rural integration, planning constraints, and ecological restoration in 2035. The study found that: (1) The main land use types in Gansu Province are cultivated land, grassland, and unused land, exhibiting significant regional heterogeneity in spatial distribution. The comprehensive land use dynamics initially increased, then decreased, before increasing again. (2) Under the influence of the continuous promotion of the Western Development Strategy and the policy of returning farmland to forest and grassland, the land use transition in the Gansu Province is mainly manifested in the transfer of cultivated land to grassland and woodland, and the transfer of construction land to cultivated land and grassland. (3) Under the two scenarios of urban-rural integration and planning constraints, the results of land use simulation are reasonable, considering cultivated land protection and regional ecological environment restoration, which can meet the needs of future development. This study provides a valuable reference for land governance and spatial planning in Gansu Province.

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Characteristics of singing sands in Mulei, Xinjiang
WANG Jingqi, QU Jianjun, WANG Yanxi, LI Mengchao
2025, 42 (4):  708-717.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.12
Abstract ( 93 )   HTML ( 6 )   PDF (16224KB) ( 15 )  

The singing sand dunes in Mulei County, Xinjiang, are renowned for their unique sound and environmental conditions, earning the title of “the first sound in the world, Wooden Barrier Singing Sand Mountain.” Influenced by regional fold faults, sand transport, and the stabilization of sand particles from the surrounding deserts and Gobi plains, these dunes produce a unique sound due to their well-sorted, bright, and clear desert sand. This study examined the environmental and material characteristics of Mulei’s singing sand, including its acoustic properties, particle size distribution, and other factors involved in its formation. A comparative analysis of the singing sands of the Badain Jaran Desert and Dunhuang highlighted the relationship between the topography and sound production. This study scientifically and systematically explains the material sources of the singing sand and investigates the influence of particle size on the acoustic properties by measuring the sound produced by sand particles of varying sizes. The findings reveal the following: (1) The mineral composition of Mulei’s singing sand is primarily quartz, similar to those in the Badain Jaran Desert and Dunhuang, but with significantly different quartz and feldspar contents. Mulei’s singing sand has a considerably higher feldspar content and a relatively lower quartz content than those of the other two regions. The sand’s acoustic properties are independent of specific proportions of quartz and feldspar particles in the mineral composition. (2) The grain size composition of Mulei’s singing sand is predominantly medium sand, exhibiting a coarser texture than those of the Badain Jaran Desert and Dunhuang, although it is well-sorted. This coarsening trend is identified as a factor contributing to the distinctive acoustic characteristics of the Mulei’s singing sand. (3) The surface of Mulei’s singing sand features typical aeolian impact craters and chemical dissolution pits formed by temperature fluctuations and wind erosion, creating a porous, rounded surface structure similar to that of the singing sands in the Badain Jaran Desert and Dunhuang, which acts as a “resonance box,” influencing the sound production of the singing sand. (4) The particle size of the singing sand significantly affects its acoustic characteristics. Among these, medium-sized sand particles produce the highest pitch, loudest volume, and the brightest, sharpest sound quality compared to other particle sizes.

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Ecostoichiometric characteristics and homeostasis of the plant-soil-microbial ecosystem in eolian sandy land amended with biochar
Shumin , Tonglaga , Hongyan , Qingyun
2025, 42 (4):  718-729.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.13
Abstract ( 88 )   HTML ( 4 )   PDF (3670KB) ( 59 )  

Stoichiometric homeostasis of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in the plant-soil-microbial continuum is crucial for the maintenance of nutrient cycling stability in fragile ecosystems. To address the challenges of imbalanced C:N:P stoichiometry in eolian sandy soils and the uncertain effects of organic amendments in the Horqin Sandy Land, this study conducted a field experiment to compare the impacts of biochar and straw additions on the stoichiometric characteristics of C, N, and P within an oat cultivation system. The experimental design included a control group (CK), biochar amendment treatments (low B1: 3%, medium B2: 5%, and high B3: 10% by mass), and straw amendment treatments (low S1: 3%, medium S2: 5%, and high S3: 10% by mass). Grounded in ecological stoichiometry and homeostasis theory, this study systematically analyzed the C:N:P response characteristics of oat plants, soil, and microbial communities. The results showed that (1) Biochar amendments (B2 and B3) significantly enhanced the C-N-P cycling efficiency of the oat system and demonstrated superior regulation over elemental allocation compared with straw addition. While biochar had negligible effects on C, N, and P content in oat shoots, it considerably increased these nutrients in the roots. Under the B3 treatment, root C, N, and P content increased by 45.2%, 65.2%, and 71.4%, respectively, relative to the control (CK), outperforming straw S3 by 28.7%, 60.2%, and 14.5%. Soil C, N, and P pools exhibited even greater responses: biochar B3 elevated soil C (240.2% vs. CK; 118.4% vs. S3), N (157.8% vs. CK; 81.4% vs. S3), and P (81.2% vs. CK; 17.5% vs. S3) contents. Microbial biomass followed a similar trend, with C, N, and P increasing by 95.3%, 88.7%, and 134.7% over CK, and by 61.2%, 21.7%, and 43.5% over S3, respectively. Additionally, biochar significantly reduced the C:N and C:P ratios in the shoots, roots, and microbial biomass while increasing these ratios in the soil. This bidirectional regulatory effect was not observed with straw treatment. (2) The homeostasis of oat roots under biochar and straw addition exhibited weaker stability and higher sensitivity to exogenous nutrient inputs compared with stems, leaves, and microorganisms. (3) The C, N, and P concentrations in the plants and microbial biomass of different organs of jasmine followed the order of C>N>P, and the C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios followed the order of N:P>C:P>C:N. Collectively, biochar amendments significantly enhanced the C sequestration capacity and elemental stoichiometric stability of the plant-soil-microbial continuum by improving the oat’s N and P assimilation efficiency. The high-dose biochar (B3 treatment) demonstrated the most pronounced effects. This study establishes a mechanistic foundation for sustainable management of sandy agroecosystems and provides practical guidelines for using biochar as a carbon-negative soil amendment in arid regions.

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Agricultural Ecology
Advances in statistical prediction of crop meteorological yields in China
FANG Feng, WANG Jing, JIA Jianying, WANG Xing, HUANG Pengcheng, YIN Fei, LIN Jingjing
2025, 42 (4):  730-753.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.14
Abstract ( 86 )   HTML ( 8 )   PDF (10363KB) ( 19 )  

Accurate crop yield prediction is crucial for governments to understand production levels, plan agricultural activities, and ensure national food security. Meteorological factors critically influence crop yields, and yield prediction methods and technology systems based on these factors serve as important references. Meteorological yield prediction predominantly employs statistical methods because of their simplicity, ease of implementation, and high accuracy, making them the most widely used techniques in China. This study reviews the application of the most commonly used statistical methods in meteorological yield prediction in China—including the key meteorological factor, climate suitability, and historical meteorological impact index methods. Through extensive data collection and investigation, a detailed overview is provided regarding the crop types and regions where each statistical method has been applied, the quantities and time scales of selected meteorological factors, various calculation approaches for meteorological indicators, and the modeling techniques adopted. The paper elaborates on the effectiveness of each statistical method across different regions and crops, evaluates the performance of integrated statistical models, and compares the forecast accuracy of different approaches. In doing so, several issues in the statistical prediction of meteorological yields are identified. For example, the key meteorological factor method offers advantages such as easy model parameter acquisition and operational applicability; however, it primarily considers the effects of light, temperature, and water, potentially overlooking other meteorological factors and disasters. The climate suitability method comprehensively accounts for the light, temperature, and water resources required for crop growth but mainly focuses on average states with lower temporal resolution, making it difficult to capture the impact of short-term disastrous weather. The historical meteorological impact index method objectively and quantitatively predicts the influence of meteorological conditions on crop yields; however, it is challenging to identify truly similar years. These issues contribute to unstable forecast results. To overcome these limitations, future efforts can focus on integrating data from multiple sources (such as satellite remote sensing, wireless sensor networks, Internet of Things, etc.), introducing advanced data analysis technologies and new statistical methods (such as machine learning and deep learning algorithms), and combining these with crop growth models to establish an integrated technology system based on agriculture, meteorology, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence. This will facilitate the development of mixed forecasting models suitable for various spatiotemporal scales, which are efficient and highly accurate. By conducting applicability analyses for different regions and crops, the precision, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of agricultural meteorological services will be enhanced.

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Nutrient absorption and utilization of Lycium barbarum under different nitrogen supply levels in Ningxia
DOU Jiaxuan, XU Ligang, YUAN Mengfei, TANG Ying
2025, 42 (4):  754-765.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.15
Abstract ( 97 )   HTML ( 5 )   PDF (13293KB) ( 33 )  

This study explored the nutrient requirements of Lycium barbarum in Ningxia using a 4-year-old “Ningqi No. 7.” Four treatments (150 mg·L-1, 210 mg·L-1, 270 mg·L-1, and 350 mg·L-1) were set up using nitrogen concentration as the control index based on an experimental device for nutrient recycling in soilless cultivation. The growth, yield, and quality indexes of L. barbarum were monitored, and nutrient absorption during growth was examined. The results showed that the absorption of large and medium elements (N>K>Ca>Mg>P) as well as trace elements (Fe>B>Mn>Zn>Cu). Maximum N and K absorption was 1.578 g·d-1 and 0.954 g·d-1 at the spring shoot growth stage, 0.029 g·d-1, 9.321 mg·d-1, and 3.935 mg·d-1 at the first flowering stage, and 0.254 g·d-1, 0.764 g·d-1, 1.113 mg·d-1, 0.498 mg·d-1, and 0.184 mg·d-1 at the summer fruit stage. N, P, and K uptake had correlation coefficients of 0.95, 0.98, and 0.84 with yield, respectively, and none significant for the trace elements. The TOPSIS entropy weight analysis identified the T4 treatment (350 mg·d-1) as optimal. Producing 1000 kg of dried wolfberry fruit required the absorption of 269.92 kg of N, 5.96 kg of P, 133.93 kg of K, 135.73 kg of Ca, 48.81 kg of Mg, 534.04 g of Mn, 1729.08 g of Fe, 96.79 g of Zn, 41.08 g of Cu, and 737.49 g of B, with nutrient utilization ratios of N:P:K:Ca:Mg=10:0.22:4.96:5.03:1.81 (major elements) and Fe:Mn:Zn:Cu:B=10:3.09:0.56:0.24:4.27 (trace elements).

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Evaluation of farmers’ perspective on the effectiveness of high-standard farmland construction in the Ili River Basin
HUANG Weihao, LAN Shan, ZHANG Yiwei, ZHANG Hengrui, CAO Wenxin, ZHAO Xinyue, GUO Yaxin, CHEN Pengpeng, LI Shaoshuai, WU Wenliang, WANG Qinggang
2025, 42 (4):  766-774.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.04.16
Abstract ( 103 )   HTML ( 10 )   PDF (3872KB) ( 26 )  

Utilizing abundant water resources for high-standard farmland construction is a key task in agricultural development in the Ili River Basin. However, there is limited research evaluating these projects from farmers’ perspectives. This study surveyed 98 farmers from 11 counties in the Ili River Basin who are involved in high-standard farmland construction to assess the effectiveness of these projects. The results show that 92.9% of the farmers expressed satisfaction or strong satisfaction with the projects. Specifically, 89.9%, 99.9%, 52.1%, 50%, 87.7%, and 98.0% of the farmers acknowledged significant improvements in irrigation conditions, crop yield, land leveling, reduction of field obstacles, field road construction, and mechanization levels, respectively. Only 9.2% and 30.6% perceived reductions in pesticide and fertilizer use after the projects. Compared with small-scale farmers (cultivating <6.667 hm2), large-scale farmers (cultivating >6.667 hm2) have a more pronounced perception of improvements in land leveling, reduction of field obstacles, field road construction, mechanization levels, pesticide use reduction, and yield improvement. Both Han and minority ethnic farmers expressed high overall satisfaction with the projects. However, Han farmers perceived more significant improvements in yield and field road construction than minority ethic farmers. This study indicates that farmers in the Ili River Basin are generally satisfied with the high-standard farmland constructions, particularly improvements in irrigation conditions, field road construction, mechanization levels, and yield improvement. It is recommended to gradually enhance the ecological aspects of high-standard farmland constructions to promote the green transformation of agricultural development in the region.

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