Atmospheric Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV) is an important indicator to characterize the water vapor content in the atmosphere, and clarifying the conversion mechanism between PWV and precipitation is of great significance for efficient water resource utilization. This paper takes Xinjiang as the study area, calculates PWV based on multi-source data, and evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of ERA5 global atmospheric reanalysis data for calculating PWV using radiosounde data as reference, and reveals the conversion relationship between PWV and precipitation with the help of Precipitation Conversion Efficient (PCE). The results show that (1) The PWV calculated by ERA5 has a high accuracy, with correlation coefficients and root mean square errors of 0.98 and 2.6 mm, respectively, compared to the PWV determined by traditional radiosounde data dependent methods. (2) Overall increasing trend of PWV in Xinjiang from 1960-2020, with an increase of 0.1 mm·(10a)^-1; the wavelet spectrum shows that the period of PWV change in the study area is dominated by the short period, which is 2.6 a and 6 a, respectively. (3) From a point perspective, PCE increases with increasing precipitation at the station. From a line perspective, the pattern of change in PCE is “U” type in the direction of longitude and roughly “L” type in the direction of latitude. At the surface scale, the high value areas of PCE were mainly distributed in the forested land, the slope range of 25°-35° and the area above 5000 m above sea level, which were 7.17%, 5.8% and 5.1%, respectively. (4) Typical years of precipitation abundance anomalies vary significantly in PCE, with exceptionally abundant years with strong convergence and strong upward movement of water vapor giving rise to higher PCE, and flat and dry water years with lower PCE. (5) Arctic Oscillation Index and Pacific Decadal Oscillation are the main factors affecting the PCE in the whole of Xinjiang, and there are some differences in the PCE controlled factors among different regions due to differences in climate and topography. The results of the study can provide theoretical references for airborne water resource utilisation and precipitation conversion assessment in Xinjiang.

The north slope of the Kunlun Mountains is an essential corridor for the construction of the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt. It is located in the inland arid zone of Northwest China, where torrential rains are sudden, short-lived, and disaster-heavy. In the actual forecasting operations, there are more empty reports and omissions of torrential rains in the north slope of the Kunlun Mountains, which leads to insufficient disaster defense in this region. This study used precipitation and reanalysis data from the national meteorological stations on the north slope of the Kunlun Mountains from 1961 to 2023 to reveal the characteristics of long-term changes in heavy rainfall in different regions of the north slope of the Kunlun Mountains and the differences in circulation. The results revealed that (1) from 1961 to 2023, the number of heavy rain days and the amount of heavy rainfall in the western and central sections of the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains exhibited an increasing trend, with the western section exhibiting a more pronounced increase. The cumulative number of heavy rain days and heavy rainfall in the western section was greater than in the central section. However, the difference in extreme rainfall amounts between the two sections was not significant. In the western section, the amount of heavy rainfall during the warm and humid phase was greater than that during the warm and dry phase, while the opposite was observed for the central section, indicating different levels of response to climate transitions. (2) the spatial distribution of heavy rain days and heavy rainfall volumes on the western section of the northern slope exhibited a characteristic of “more in the east and less in the west,” while the central section displayed a pattern of “more in the middle and less on the sides.” The spatial distribution of average heavy rainfall and cumulative heavy rainfall volumes is consistent in the western section but opposite in the central section. (3) over 90.0% of the stations on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains have experienced short-duration heavy rainfall events, which is higher than the average for southern Xinjiang; nonshort-duration heavy rainfall events predominantly characterize the western section (central section). The persistence of heavy rainfall events on the northern slope is relatively poor, with a majority occurring at night, and the average precipitation duration of heavy rainfall events in the western and central sections is similar. (4) the typical configuration of the main weather systems causing heavy rainfall in the western and central sections of the northern slope is the same, which increases the difficulty of precise forecasting for the fine-scale distribution of heavy rainfall in the Kunlun Mountains. The research findings can deepen our understanding of the uniqueness of heavy rainfall in arid regions and provide references for enhancing the defense capabilities against heavy rainfall on the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains.

The microphysical characteristics of a stratiform precipitation cloud in the central Qilian Mountains on August 27, 2022, were analyzed through aircraft measurements. The results revealed significant differences in the cloud microphysical characteristics with different altitudes and regions. The supercooled liquid water content decreased as the altitude increased. In the -6 ℃ to -3 ℃ layer, the mean supercooled liquid water content was about 0.05 g·m^-3, while in the higher layer of -15 ℃ to -12 ℃, the supercooled liquid water content was only 0.015 g·m^-3, less than one-third of the lower layer. The riming process is essential in the growth of particles at all altitudes, with the mean diameter of the particles in the cloud reaching several hundred micrometers. Combining riming and aggregation processes can result in a particle spectrum width of over 6 mm. The mean diameter of the particles in the -6 ℃ to -3 ℃ layer was smaller than that in the upper layer, which may be caused by the evaporation and fragmentation of large particles while falling. On the mountain’s southwestern side, the low-level southerly wind with moisture lifted by the topography resulted in condensation and the production of numerous cloud droplets. The small particle concentration on the mountain’s southwestern side is one order of magnitude higher than that on the northeastern side, and the supercooled liquid water content is also higher. On the mountain’s southwestern side, the cloud particles are mainly supercooled cloud droplets and graupel particles; the aggregation process is not obvious, and the particle concentration is high. On the northeastern side, aggregated ice particles and graupels dominate, and the low concentration of small particles leads to a larger mean size of cloud particles.

Scientifically assessing cloud water resources and studying the distribution and evolution of cloud water resources is of great significance to guide the local weather modification work, accelerate the development and utilization of aerial water resources, and alleviate water shortage. In this study, the monthly reanalysis data of ERA-5 from 1979 to 2022 and the EOF decomposition method were used to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of cloud water resources in the Tarim Basin in summer. The following results were revealed. (1) Regarding spatial distribution, the atmospheric water vapor content in the Tarim Basin was higher in the west, lower in the east, and slightly higher in the north than in the south. The water vapor content of the whole layer in the basin displayed an increasing trend in the past 44 years. (2) The two modes of EOF revealed that the water vapor transport in the basin in summer was mainly consistent in the whole region, followed by more water vapor transport in the southwest and less in the northeast. (3) The total cloud cover and cloud water content in summer were higher in the north and south and lower in the middle of the Tarim Basin, and the cloud cover in the mountainous areas was higher than that in the oasis and desert areas. Meanwhile, the cloud ice water content in the north was higher than that in the south of the basin in summer, and the cloud liquid water content in the south was higher than that in the north. The largest cloud liquid water content in the basin was concentrated in the Pamir Plateau, and the peak value of the cloud ice water content was located in the Tianshan Mountains. (4) The mountainous areas and the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains were dominated by water-bearing medium and low clouds. In contrast, the cloud water thickness in the Tianshan Mountains was deeper, and the cloud ice water content was larger. A significant increase in cloud water content was observed in the mountainous areas of the Kunlun Mountains and the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains, while a decrease was observed in the Tianshan Mountains after 2000. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for assessing aerial cloud water content and weather modification operations in the Tarim Basin.

The frequent alternation of cold and warm events in the winter months has increased the difficulty and challenge of short-term climate prediction. Additionally, the overall prediction level of the climate dynamic models for winter temperatures in Ningxia was not high, resulting in an unstable prediction quality. The development of the model interpretation application method, combining dynamics and statistics, was effective in improving the prediction quality and is crucial for the urgent development of the provincial short-term climate prediction business. This article is based on the EC model historical calculations over the past 30 years of the MODES second-generation products of the National Climate Center, the monthly average winter temperatures observation data from 19 national meteorological stations in Ningxia, and the NCEP/NCAR atmospheric reanalysis data. Using the similarity error correction method, we combined the information of key circulation areas during the same period for model interpretation and application of winter temperatures to improve the accuracy and objectivity of climate trend prediction in Ningxia. The results revealed that the original prediction outcomes of the EC model have relatively high prediction skills for winter temperatures, especially regarding grasping trends and abnormal levels. After adopting a similar error correction scheme, the EC model can still effectively improve its prediction skills for winter temperatures in Ningxia, with a particularly significant improvement in December and January. After correction, the PS and PC scores were higher than 70% and 64%, respectively. Additionally, when the average temperature anomaly was positive in January and negative in December and February, the prediction skills improved more significantly; the larger the magnitude of the lower temperature, the more significant the improvement. Moreover, the magnitude of the model error did not significantly impact the forecast correction effect. Even when the absolute value of the model error was large, this correction scheme could still improve the winter monthly temperature prediction skills to varying degrees. Therefore, the similarity error correction method could further improve the forecast accuracy of the winter temperature trend and anomaly level in Ningxia under large model errors, improving the stability of the model forecast skill and providing a positive application value in practical service.

This study used GRACE and GRACE-FO gravity satellite data to invert the Terrestrial Water Storage reserves in the Yellow River Basin from 2002 to 2022. We also calculated the standardized Water Storage Deficit Index to analyze the drought characteristics of the Yellow River Basin from 2002 to 2022. From 2002 to 2022, the Terrestrial Water Storage in the entire Yellow River Basin, upstream, and middle lower reaches was about 5.43 mm·a^-1, 1.03 mm·a^-1, and 8.36 mm·a^-1, respectively. Between 2002 and 2022, six drought events occurred in the entire Yellow River Basin, eleven in the upper reaches and eight in the middle and lower reaches. Regarding the drought intensity, moderate and extreme droughts were more common in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, mild drought was more common in the middle and lower reaches, and mild drought was more common in the entire region, with the strongest event being severe drought. The drought events in the Yellow River Basin in 2022 were concentrated at the junction of the upper and middle lower reaches. Drought events mainly occurred in the upper reaches of the Yellow River Basin; the area is in a drought state throughout the year, except for the Yellow River source area. The drought phenomenon is evident in the Inland River Basin and Fen River Basin at the junction of the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River Basin; only a few months in the lower reaches of the Yellow River Basin are affected by drought. In 2022, the center of the drought events gradually shifted from the Qiantao Basin to the Xitao Basin.

In the Aksu River Basin, 20% of the domestic and irrigation water comes from groundwater, making it crucial to understand the distribution and formation of high-arsenic (As) groundwater in the area. Based on the hydrochemical and isotope results, graphical methods were used to analyze the hydrochemical characteristics of the groundwater and the spatial distribution and forms of arsenic, revealing the As occurrence environment combined with geological, geomorphological, and hydrogeochemical processes. The results revealed that the single-structure phreatic water is alkaline oxidizing brackish water, the phreatic water in the confined water area is alkaline weakly oxidizing saline water, and the confined water is alkaline reducing fresh water. The As content ranged from 0.05 to 160 µg·L^-1, with a rate exceeding the standard of 19.5%. The hydrochemical types of high-As groundwater are mainly Cl·SO₄-Na, SO₄·Cl-Na·Ca, and Cl-Na, distributed in confined and phreatic water in the area downstream of the Aksu and Tailan Rivers at a depth of 10-42 m. From the mountainfront to the fine soil plain, the occurrence environment changes from weakly oxidizing to reducing. The As content and saturation index of the groundwater generally exhibited an increasing trend. The single-structure phreatic water and confined water were mainly controlled by the water-rock interaction. In contrast, the phreatic water in the confined water areas was mainly controlled by the evaporation concentration. The distribution of groundwater As is mainly related to structural factors, with realgar dissolution being the primary natural source. The arid climate and the geological, geomorphological, and hydrogeological conditions create external conditions for the enrichment of high-As groundwater. Factors like pH, desulfurization process, Eh, and groundwater circulation patterns affect As release. This study helps us understand the formation and evolution of high-As groundwater in the Aksu River Basin, which is crucial for ensuring water supply safety.

Soil nutrient levels and microbial community structures are critical indicators for evaluating the ecosystem services of artificial forests. In arid and semi-arid regions, which are the major distribution areas for artificial forests, the regulatory effects of stand density on soil nutrients and microbial communities remain poorly understood. This study analyzed a 30-year-old Robinia pseudoacacia plantation on the Loess Plateau’s eastern edge. Based on Reineke’s stand density effect law and regional management standards, the stands were categorized into low (950-1350 trees·hm^-2), medium (1600-2050 trees·hm^-2), and high (2400-3300 trees·hm^-2) density groups. Data were collected through field surveys, soil nutrient analyses, and high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS. These methods systematically assessed the soil nutrient characteristics and microbial community structures and diversity across different stand densities. The study’s findings indicate that as the stand density increases, the soil total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total carbon, and organic carbon contents significantly increase, especially in the high-density group (P<0.05). Conversely, the available phosphorus content peaks in the medium-density group. The bacterial community was primarily composed of Proteobacteria (38.70%), Actinobacteria (19.37%), Gemmatimonadetes (8.23%), and Chloroflexi (7.71%), with Actinobacteria’s relative abundance significantly increasing alongside the stand density (P<0.05). In the fungal community, Ascomycota (51.79%), Mortierellomycota (30.70%), and Basidiomycota (10.07%) were the dominant phyla. In the high-density group, bacterial and fungal community diversity was significantly enhanced, as evidenced by notable increases in the Shannon and Chao1 indices (P<0.05). Principal Coordinates Analysis revealed that the bacterial community structures in the medium- and low-density groups exhibited significant clustering, distinctly differing from those in the high-density group (P<0.05). In contrast, the fungal community structures remained relatively stable across different stand densities. The Mantel test revealed that bacterial and fungal community structures were significantly associated with TN (P<0.05). Cooccurrence network analysis indicated that moderate stand density increases microbial interaction strength and network complexity. However, when the stand density exceeded 2400 trees·hm^-2, the network stability decreased, potentially hindering efficient resource utilization. Maintaining a stand density of 1600-2050 trees·hm^-2 improves soil nutrient levels and enhances microbial community diversity and stability, providing a scientific basis for the sustainable management of R. pseudoacacia plantations on the Loess Plateau.

This study aimed to clarify the adaptability strategies of Salix psammophila to different environments from the perspective of resource allocation for the stable construction and sustainable management of S. psammophila plantations. S. psammophila plantations in four types of sites (windward slope, leeward slope, interdune land, and flat sand land) were surveyed in the Mu Us Sandy Land in Ningxia. The characteristics of the S. psammophila population, including morphological parameters like basal diameter, branch length, and stem and leaf biomass, were recorded. The effects of topography on the biomass accumulation and distribution between the S. psammophila organs were studied based on the allometric growth model. (1) With growth, S. psammophila tends to reduce the proportion of leaf resources and increase the proportion of stem resources. (2) The site factors significantly impact biomass and its distribution between the S. psammophila organs. The average biomass of branches in the dune (windward and leeward slopes) is significantly higher than that in the interdune land (P<0.05), and the allometric growth index of leaf-stem biomass is significantly higher in the dune than in the interdune and flat sand lands (P<0.05). (3) The main soil factor that affects biomass and its distribution between the S. psammophila organs is soil moisture. Soil moisture of the whole section (0-100 cm) determines the biomass, and soil moisture of the deep layer moisture content (60-100 cm) affects the biomass distribution trade-off between the stem and leaf. The biomass accumulation and allocation of S. psammophila displayed significant differences among different site types, and the effect of deep soil moisture on biomass allocation was more significant than that of full-profile soil moisture. In the future, artificial intervention can be adopted to satisfy the water requirement for S. psammophila growth and realize the stable development of the S. psammophila plantation population.

Utilizing the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud computing platform, the Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of Ordos was calculated based on an improved CASA model. Sen’s slope analysis and MK trend analysis methods were used to analyze the spatiotemporal changes in NPP from 2001 to 2020 and estimate the carbon sequestration capacity of Ordos City. (1) NPP in Ordos City displayed a significant seasonal variation from 2001 to 2020, with the highest values in July and August and an average annual NPP of 78.04 g C·m^-2·a^-1, following an overall fluctuating upward trend. (2) Spatially, NPP demonstrated clear heterogeneity, with higher values in the northeast and lower values in the northwest; high values were concentrated in Dalate Banner and Jungar Banner, while low values were mainly in Hanggin Banner. (3) The implementation of ecological projects and NPP changes were not fully synchronized, with a general trend of initially slow then accelerating growth; NPP change rates significantly increased after 2011 in most areas, but areas with harsher ecological conditions, such as Hanggin Banner, exhibited a lower improvement and some lag. (4) In 2011, Ordos displayed a widespread negative carbon sequestration rate. Yet, by 2020, the spatial heterogeneity in carbon sequestration had significantly increased, with higher values in the east and lower values in the west. The carbon sequestration capacity in Hanggin Banner’s western region still requires reinforcement, while Dalate Banner significantly improved its carbon sequestration capacity.

The effect of environmental factors on the seed germination of two medicinal plants, Asclepias curassavica and Amaranthus tricolor, was studied using PEG-6000, NaCl, and pH gradient solutions to simulate drought, salt, and acidity stresses, respectively. The results provide the basis for their cultivation in arid, saline-alkali areas and the production of high-quality medicinal materials. The findings revealed that the seed germination percentage and index of A. curassavica and A. tricolor decreased with increasing PEG and NaCl concentrations. After 14 days of stress, the nongerminated seeds could rapidly germinate after rehydration and did not lose their vitality. TTC staining of the nongerminated seeds after rehydration revealed that the seeds remained active; the viable seed proportion of the two medicinal plants was significantly higher than in the control or did not decrease significantly, with mean values of 84% and 90%, respectively. At pH 3-6, the A. curassavica and A. tricolor seed germination percentages were 57% and 83%, while the nongerminated seeds of A. curassavica and A. tricolor lost their vitality. The percentages of dead seeds were 10% and 15%, and the proportions of viable seeds were 91% and 87%, respectively, for A. curassavica and A. tricolor. The two medicinal plants displayed a certain tolerance to drought and salt stress and a strong tolerance to acid stress during germination. The two plants can adopt different germination strategies, such as advanced or delayed germination or dormancy, to adapt to their environmental stresses. This study clarified the seed germination characteristics and differences of A. curassavica and A. tricolor under three abiotic stress factors. It provides a theoretical basis for producing and improving the quality of two medical plants.

Ecological restoration is a major project to implement China’s ecological civilization construction. Delineating zoning units is a prerequisite and an essential foundation for the differentiated implementation of land remediation and ecological restoration; it holds significant theoretical and guiding value for formulating differentiated restoration measures. Taking the Shanxi section of the Yellow River Basin as an example, this study introduces the GeoSOM (Geographic Self-Organizing Map) algorithm to perform spatial clustering for ecological restoration in the study area based on grid units. The Dunn index evaluated the effectiveness of the clustering and selected the optimal scheme. Finally, the Support Vector Machine (SVM) identified the boundaries of the ecological restoration zones, resulting in the delineation of the ecological restoration areas. The results indicate that, after the GeoSOM network spatial clustering, the study area was divided into four major categories according to the Dunn index evaluation, with each category exhibiting significant spatial differentiation characteristics. Based on the clustering results, the SVM identified ten ecological restoration zones, and ecological restoration strategies were proposed for each zone. This study improves the traditional SOM network, which emphasizes thematic attributes, by using the GeoSOM algorithm that measures the similarity of thematic and spatial attributes, making it more suitable for spatial clustering. The findings provide a new reference for methods of ecological restoration zoning.

The interaction between wind and water is key in shaping the morphology and spatial distribution of eolian landforms. Quantifying the influence of rivers on eolian landforms has always been challenging. This work selected the Hotan River, which crosses the Taklamakan Desert and the surrounding eolian landforms, as the research object. Based on high-resolution remote-sensing images, DEM and NDVI data, comparing relevant characteristic parameters of typical cross-sections, and analyzing the pattern of eolian landforms and the changes in river channel morphological parameters, the following results were obtained. (1) In the intersection area of the Hotan River and eolian landforms, NDVI=0.05 can be used as a critical value to distinguish the influence of rivers on the pattern of eolian landforms. Consequently, the spatial distribution of the area affected by the Hotan River on eolian landforms is revealed: its area is 20700 km² and its width ranges from 6 to 121 km. (2) The channel morphology of the Hotan River changes little, making it difficult to cause long-distance lateral migration of the river channel; the impact area on the surrounding eolian landforms will not change significantly. In the process of the interaction between wind and water, the Hotan River plays a leading role. Moreover, the southern section belongs to the fully fluvial dominant type, while the northern section belongs to the mostly fluvial dominant type. (3) The distribution pattern of eolian landforms that can be recognized as sabkhas, longitudinal dunes, transverse ridges, and reticulate dunes in sequence from the river channel to both sides results from long-term interactions between wind and water.

Wind-sand activities cause surface erosion or accumulation, affecting the safe operation of photovoltaic power plants. This study analyzed the field characteristics of wind speed flow and the erosion variation of photovoltaic panels under different wind speed conditions (6, 8, and 10 m·s^-1) through wind tunnel experiments and numerical simulations to elucidate the mechanism of surface wind erosion in desert PV power plants. The research results revealed that (1) photovoltaic panels change the near-surface wind speed and flow field, forming a front plate airflow lifting zone, a bottom plate airflow acceleration zone, a back plate vortex deceleration zone, and a tail plate airflow recovery zone; the wind speed near the surface of the board significantly increases, making it prone to erosion, while the wind speed behind the board decreases, making it prone to accumulation. (2) when the wind direction is reversed, the “narrow tube effect” under the photovoltaic panel leads to increased airflow, and wind erosion is significantly greater than normal airflow. The accumulation behind the panel is related to the deceleration of the vortex on the leeward side. (3) the wind erosion under the edge array panel of the photovoltaic power station is the most severe, while the wind erosion inside the power station array is relatively light; as the height of the photovoltaic modules increases, the wind erosion under the panels is reduced to some extent. The results provide a scientific basis for sand hazard prevention and efficient production of desert photovoltaic power plants.

Objective, accurate, and timely evaluation of the spatiotemporal changes and driving forces of ecological environment quality is of great significance for the formulation of ecological protection plans and policies. Taking Alxa Left Banner as an example, this study constructs a Remote Sensing-based Ecological Index (RSEI) for arid regions based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and analyzes the spatiotemporal changes and driving forces of RSEI over the past 30 years (1991-2021). The study shows that: (1) Over the past 30 years, the RSEI of Alxa Left Banner has shown a fluctuating upward trend, with the maximum RSEI in 2012 (0.360) and the minimum in 2007 (0.264). (2) Over the past 30 years, the area of ecological improvement (RSEI>0.2, 3.15%) in Alxa Left Banner is larger than the area of degradation (RSEI<-0.2, 2.48%), with the largest area showing no change (-0.2<RSEI<0.2, 94.37%). Regions with poorer RSEI are mainly distributed in bare land areas, while the RSEI of forest, grassland, farmland, and impervious surface areas has gradually improved. (3) From 1991 to 2021, the Global Moran’s I index ranged between 0.600 and 0.650, indicating a high degree of clustering. (4) According to the results of the linear mixed-effects model, human activities account for 89% of the changes in RSEI, while climate change accounts for 11%. In summary, over the past 30 years, the overall ecological environment quality in the Alxa Desert area has gradually improved, with significant improvements in the northern edge of the Tengger Desert, primarily due to human activities, especially the aerial seeding afforestation projects.

Drawing upon China’s comprehensive land use data and socioeconomic panel statistics spanning 1980-2020, this study meticulously analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of nonagricultural and nongrain farmland. It aimed to elucidate their underlying patterns of change and driving mechanisms, establishing a solid foundation for sustainable cultivated land utilization and stable food security. Utilizing the SD ellipse and trend analysis, we comprehensively assessed the dynamic evolution traits of these nontraditional agricultural uses. Furthermore, we constructed a comprehensive index system tailored for nonagricultural and nongrain farmlands and developed a partial correlation model to quantitatively assess the relative contributions of various influencing factors. This comprehensive approach offers a nuanced understanding of the intricate dynamics governing these farmland transitions and their implications for China’s agricultural sustainability and food security. (1) Regarding time, the current situation of nonagriculture farmland in China is getting better, but the nonagriculture phenomenon is still prominent in some areas and tends to intensify further. (2) Regarding space, the degree of nonagriculture is more serious in the northeast, central, and eastern regions, while it is higher in the northwest, south, and some coastal areas of southeast China. The polarization phenomenon exists in the direction of nonagricultural chemical evolution. The nongrain center exhibited a development trend of moving from the southwest to the northeast. (3) Economic factors are the leading driving effect of nonagricultural chemistry, and their degree of influence has decreased in the past ten years. Agricultural production condition is the basic factor of nongrain production, and it is gradually increased by economic factors, such as the output value of grain per acre and the income gap between urban and rural areas. The spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors of nonagricultural and nongrain lands in China from 1980 to 2020 can provide a reference for the scientific implementation of cultivated land protection decisions.

Agricultural solar thermal resources are the core advantage in the national strategy of the Tarim Basin’s western development. However, there has been no comprehensive quantitative assessment of the potential for developing agricultural solar thermal resources in the Tarim Basin. Based on the analysis of the inter-annual trend and spatial pattern characteristics of agricultural solar thermal resources in 42 counties in the Tarim Basin, this study established a comprehensive evaluation index system and used the entropy-weight TOPSIS method and Mann-Kendall trend test to evaluate the potential for developing agricultural solar thermal resources in the Tarim Basin. The results revealed that (1) between 1990 and 2020, the agricultural solar thermal resources in the Tarim Basin, including annual sunshine hours, annual solar radiation, annual active heat accumulation above 10 ℃, and annual mean temperature, exhibited an upward trend, while the number of days with at least three hours of effective sunshine and annual evaporation displayed a downward trend. (2) a significant spatial imbalance was observed in the agricultural solar thermal resources in the Tarim Basin, and different indicators displayed different spatial differentiation patterns, forming obvious spatial features of high and low agricultural solar thermal resources aggregation distribution. (3) a significant spatial difference was observed in the potential for developing agricultural solar thermal resources in the Tarim Basin, with an average score of 0.199. The highest score of 0.578 was observed in Zhalay County, which was more than six times higher than in Keping County, with 0.094. These results reveal a “multicore” distribution pattern. The findings can provide a realistic reference for the development and utilization of agricultural solar thermal resources in the Tarim Basin and help improve the local resource utilization efficiency.