Table of Content

15 September 2025, Volume 42 Issue 9 Previous Issue    Next Issue

Weather and Climate

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Spatio-temporal change in mean wind speed and its resources in Xizang from 1981 to 2024 DU Jun, Tsewang , HUANG Zhicheng, Dechendolkar 2025, 42 (9):  1549-1562.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.01 Abstract ( 249 )   HTML ( 41 )   PDF (19687KB) ( 167 )   Understanding the characteristics of near-surface wind speed (Ws) is crucial in investigating dust storms, evapotranspiration, air pollution, and wind energy development. Based on the daily mean Ws at 38 meteorological stations in Xizang from 1981 to 2024 as well as the indices of monthly atmospheric circulation and sea surface temperatures, we analyzed temporal and spatial changes in the mean Ws and its influencing factors. For this analysis, we used statistical methods, namely, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Pettitt mutation test, linear tendency estimation, and stepwise regression. The results show that: (1) The annual and seasonal average Ws and the number of days with Ws ≥3 m·s-1 decreased significantly at most of the stations in Xizang, and the Ws decreased faster in northwest Xizang than in other directions. The number of days with Ws ≥3 m·s-1 decreased more in spring than in other seasons, and the number of stations with this Ws increased the most in winter among all the seasons. (2) In the past 44 years, the annual Ws and the number of days with Ws ≥3 m·s-1 decreased in Tibet at a rate of 0.08 m·s-1·(10a)-1 and 13.5 d·(10a)-1, respectively, mainly in spring. (3) In the 1980s, the annual and seasonal Ws in Xizang were relatively higher than in the rest of the study period, specifically in spring. In the 1990s, the Ws was high in spring and standard in the other three seasons with a typical annual outlook. In the 21st century, the seasonal and annual Ws were standard. The number of days with Ws ≥3 m·s-1 were more in the 1980s and 1990s and less in the 2000s and 2010s. (4) In the past 44 years, the sudden larger to smaller shifts in the annual and seasonal Ws and the number of days with Ws ≥3 m·s-1 occurred in the early 1990s and mid to late 1990s, respectively. The Ws showed a turning point from decreasing to increasing around 2010. (5) Except winters, the significant decreases in annual and seasonal Ws in Xizang were caused by global warming. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Comparison and performance evaluation of numerical model rainstorm prediction in Gansu Province PENG Xiao, KONG Xiangwei, CHEN Xiaoyan, WU Jing, FU Jing, LI Wenxue 2025, 42 (9):  1563-1573.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.02 Abstract ( 164 )   HTML ( 16 )   PDF (6544KB) ( 98 )   Using the precipitation observation data of the National Meteorological Station and based on the model evaluation tools test system, an evaluation was conducted on the precipitation prediction performance of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), Global Assimilation Prediction System of China Meteorological Administration (CMA) Global Forecast System, Mesoscale Weather Numerical Prediction System of CMA CMA-SH9 during the 2022 Gansu main flood season rainstorm. The Mesoscale (CMA-MESO), and Shanghai Numerical Prediction Model of results demonstrate that: (1) The four numerical models show similar accuracy in predicting sunny and rainy weather, all above 0.80, with CMA-SH9 achieving the highest score for precipitation forecasts ≥50 mm, followed by CMA-MESO. (2) According to the characteristics of the impact system and circulation situation, the rainstorm in the main flood season in Gansu Province can be divided into three types: subtropical high marginal, northwest airflow, and low trough. The CMA-SH9 model has the best prediction effect for precipitation ≥50 mm, particularly for low-trough rainstorm processes, followed by the subtropical high marginal type. (3) Method for Object-based Diagonostic Evaluation spatial test indicates that the CMA-MESO and CMA-SH9 regional models outperform the ECMWF and CMA-GFS global models in forecasting ≥50 mm precipitation. In the rainstorm process on July 14, the CMA-SH9 model predicted that the centroid distance and axial angle deviation of the rainstorm were relatively small, and the prediction of rainstorm location and spatial trend was most close to the actual situation. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

Land and Water Resources

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Characteristics and factors influencing water and heat flux changes in typical desert ecosystems in arid inland river basins XU Wentao, DU Yongjun, ZHANG Heng, TIAN Hao, CHAI Wenguang, LI Xiaolong, JIA Weikang, YANG Guang 2025, 42 (9):  1574-1586.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.03 Abstract ( 179 )   HTML ( 23 )   PDF (14107KB) ( 110 )   To address the challenges of water resource stress and ecological response in desert ecosystems of arid inland river basins under climate change, this study focuses on a typical desert ecosystem in the lower reaches of the Manas River Basin of the arid inland river in northwest China as the research object. Using the eddy correlation method, we simultaneously monitored the latent heat flux (LE), sensible heat flux (H), Bowen ratio (B), air temperature (TA), relative humidity (RH), saturated water vapor pressure (VPD), and average wind speed (WS) at the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut Desert. The Pearson correlation coefficient was applied to examine the characteristics of water and heat flux variations and their environmental impact factors in desert ecosystems from April to October 2023 and 2024. The main findings are summarized as follows. (1) At the half-hour scale, LE and H exhibited a unimodal pattern, with the maximum occurrence time of 13:00—15:00. The LE peak occurred 1-2 h earlier than that of H. The main environmental factors affecting LE were TA (r=0.63)>VPD (r=0.62)>WS (r=0.51), while those affecting H were WS (r=0.73)>VPD (r=0.61)>TA (r=0.56)>RH (r=-0.33). The main environmental factor affecting B was WS (r=0.11). (2) At the daily scale, H and LE exhibited clear seasonal variation characteristics, initially increasing and then decreasing, forming a “U” shaped trend, and B gradually flattened in the middle of growth. TA and VPD were the main environmental factors affecting LE wheile WS and RH mainly affected H. (3) At the monthly scale, the change in water heat flux showed a similar trend, with H and LE showing unimodal variations. LE was highest in July and August and lowest in October. H peaked in June and July and also reached its minimum in October. LE showed strong positive correlations with TA, VPD, and RH, with TA having the strongest positive correlation (r=0.85). H was mainly influenced by TA, VPD, and WS, with TA and VPD showing strong positive correlations (r=0.85 and 0.83, respectively). The main environmental factors affecting B were WS, TA, VPD, and RH, with RH showing a negative correlation. This study provides insights into the variation patterns of water and heat flux and their relationships with environmental factors across multiple time scales in the desert ecosystems of arid inland river basins, offering a theoretical foundation for the ecological construction of desert ecosystems. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Multidimensional spatiotemporal differentiation of the supply-demand relationship of ecosystem water-yielding services in the Liupan Mountain area LIU Wenhui, HOU Ying, MA Xiaojuan 2025, 42 (9):  1587-1598.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.04 Abstract ( 130 )   HTML ( 8 )   PDF (18680KB) ( 66 )   Against the background of ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin, the water ecosystem service functions of the Liupan Mountain area, which is known as the wet island, have become increasingly critical to the arid Loess Plateau. Thus, the study aimed to establish an assessment method for the supply and demand of ecosystem water-yielding services suitable for mountainous regions. This method, combined with the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs model and a supply-demand matching index, was used to systematically evaluate the multidimensional differentiation characteristics of the supply and demand of ecosystem water-yielding services in this region across temporal and spatial dimensions. The results illustrated that in the previous three decades, the supply and demand of ecosystem water-yielding services in the Liupan Mountain area followed a pattern of first decreasing then increasing. The southeastern mountainous area experienced the most significant change in supply (13.1%), while the northern mountainous area experienced the largest change in demand (-37.1%). The study identified mountainous regions situated above 2000 m as supply zones for ecosystem water-yielding services and areas characterized by high degrees of supply-demand matching. Conversely, areas below 2000 m were considered predominantly demand zones. After the year 2000, high-demand areas shifted from the north to the southeastern and southwestern mountainous regions, thus forming a spatiotemporal distribution pattern of supply-demand matching degrees characterized by high, moderate, and low levels in the north, southwest, and southeast, respectively. In conclusion, the supply and demand of ecosystem water-yielding services in the Liupan Mountain area exhibited a multidimensional uneven distribution pattern across spatiotemporal dimensions and vertical zones. Over time and with increasing altitude, the matching degrees of supply and demand in the northern mountainous areas displayed an upward trend before the year 2000 but a downward trend in the southwestern and southeastern mountainous areas. Conversely, after the year 2000, the matching degree in the northern mountainous areas decreased, whereas that in the southwestern and southeastern areas increased. The findings revealed the spatial differentiation law of the supply-demand relationship of water resources in the Liupan Mountain area, which provides a scientific foundation for the optimal allocation of water resources in arid mountainous regions. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Sources, migration and ecological risks of microplastic pollution in arid regions WANG Caiqin, SHAO Jiashi, FU Daiye, ZHANG Daoyong, PAN Xiangliang 2025, 42 (9):  1599-1611.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.05 Abstract ( 167 )   HTML ( 16 )   PDF (6779KB) ( 82 )   Arid regions function as important global sources and sinks for microplastics (MPs), with their unique climatic conditions and human activity patterns giving rise to specific MP pollution characteristics. This article systematically reviews recent advances in understanding MP sources, pollution patterns, migration, and ecological risks within arid environments. Regarding pollution characteristics, soil MP abundance exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity, with fibrous microplastics accounting for 64%-92% of the total. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon are identified as the main polymer components, primarily originating from agricultural film residues. In terms of migration mechanisms, wind erosion and sandstorm events dominate local-to-regional-scale transport. Due to their high aspect ratio and low density, fibrous microplastics are particularly prone to cross-border atmospheric migration, further prolonged by the coupling effect of electric and wind fields on their atmospheric residence time. Ecologically, MPs exert multi-dimensional impacts on ecosystems by altering soil physicochemical properties (e.g., pore structure and water retention capacity), interfering with microbial metabolism, and inducing oxidative stress in plants. Future research efforts should focus on integrating multiscale models, investigating the combined effects of microplastics and other pollutants, and establishing a standardized monitoring system. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Cumulative effects of time on soil microbial community and multifunctionality in a desert oasis expansion area: A case study of the Zhangye oasis ZHAO Lina, LI Yuda, GOU Qianqian, WANG Guohua, QU Jianjun 2025, 42 (9):  1612-1627.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.06 Abstract ( 130 )   HTML ( 10 )   PDF (22129KB) ( 41 )   Over the past 50 years, the population in the arid regions of Northwest China has rapidly increased, accompanied by the expansion of farmland and shrubland at the edge of desert oases. However, few studies have examined the succession and multifunctionality of soil microbial communities in the desert oasis expansion area. This study aimed to elucidate the ecological mechanisms underlying soil microbiome evolution and ecosystem functioning in arid land reclamation systems. We systematically investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil microbial communities (bacteria and fungi: 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid and internal transcribed spacer amplicon sequencing) and their functional relationships with the physicochemical properties of soil (nutrients, pH, electrical conductivity, moisture), enzymatic activities (C-, N-, P-cycling), and multifunctionality across a chronosequence (5-30 years) of cultivated farmlands and Haloxylon ammodendron plantations in the Zhangye oasis expansion zone of Hexi Corridor. The results indicated that over a reclamation period of 30 years, the multifunctionality of farmland soil first increased then decreased, reaching a maximum value at 10 years and exhibiting a significantly decreased value at 20 years (P<0.05). Conversely, the soil multifunctionality of Haloxylon ammodendron plantations increased with time, reaching its maximum value at 30 years. In the farmland, the fungal community changed more significantly than the bacterial community. Soil multifunctionality was significantly negatively correlated with relative abundance of pathotrophic fungi in the community (r=-0.655, P<0.01) but positively correlated with α-diversity (r=0.508, P<0.05) and network complexity (r=0.645, P<0.05). Principal component analysis identified fungal pathogens as the primary factor influencing farmland soil multifunctionality. The contribution of the bacterial community to changes in soil multifunctionality was stronger in shrubland than in farmland. Multifunctionality was significantly positively correlated with both α-diversity (r=0.546, P<0.001) and network complexity of the bacterial community (r=0.542, P<0.001), and these two were the primary factors influencing shrubland soil multifunctionality. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the sustainable development of farmland and shrubland and the management of soil health in desert oasis expansion zones. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

Plant Ecology

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Prediction of the suitable distribution areas of Arnebia euchroma (Boraginaceae) in China under change climate conditions SHANG Shujing, LIU Danhui, ZHOU Yixin, WU Jiaju, LU Ting, LI Wenjun 2025, 42 (9):  1628-1639.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.07 Abstract ( 150 )   HTML ( 14 )   PDF (10374KB) ( 47 )   This study explored the potential distribution and ecological adaptability of Arnebia euchroma in China and provides a theoretical basis for the protection, rational development, and use of wild plant resources of A. euchroma. Based on the MaxEnt model and ArcGIS software, 51 distribution points and 11 environmental factors of A. euchroma in China were predicted as potentially suitable areas, and the main environmental factors that influence the distribution of A. euchroma were discussed. The potentially suitable areas in China were predicted under the present (1970-2000) and future (2021-2040, 2041-2060) climatic conditions. The results showed that precipitation of mean temperature of wettest quarter, precipitation seasonality, precipitation of warmest quarter, and elevation were the dominant environmental factors that affect A. euchroma distribution, with contribution rates of 36.2%, 13.9%, 10.1%, and 8.5%, respectively. Under the current climate background, A. euchroma in China is mainly distributed in the central part of Xinjiang and the northwest part of Xizang, with a total potential habitat area of 96.26×104 km2. Compared with the current period, the climate scenarios of the next four periods did not significantly change the distribution of potentially suitable areas for A. euchroma. The total suitable area decreased while the highly suitable area increased slightly. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Community composition and functionalities of endophytic microorganisms in Haloxylon ammodendron seeds ZHU Zhaohua, ZHAI Yixiao, LI Xinrong, Miao Yingxiang, MA Tong, LI Shanjia 2025, 42 (9):  1640-1649.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.08 Abstract ( 148 )   HTML ( 7 )   PDF (2965KB) ( 31 )   This study aimed to reveal the ecological adaptive mechanisms and agricultural potential of endophytic microorganisms in desert plant seeds, using Haloxylon ammodendron seeds as the research subject. We combined high-throughput sequencing and conventional culture techniques to analyze the structural characteristics of endophytic microbial communities in H. ammodendron seeds and elucidate their potential roles in plant growth promotion and stress resistance. The results revealed that the endophytic bacterial community in H. ammodendron seeds comprised 668 species spanning 31 phyla, dominated by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, whereas the endophytic fungal community included 583 species spanning 13 phyla, dominated by Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Functional annotation revealed distinct metabolic roles: the endophytic bacteria were enriched in chemoheterotrophy and fermentation, whereas the fungal communities exhibited saprophytic and pathogenic traits. Using conventional culture methods, we isolated 13 culturable endophytic bacterial strains, including two multifunctional plant growth-promoting strains (Priestia aryabhattai HB-4 and Priestia megaterium HB-9) and three salt-tolerant strains (Bacillus zhangzhouensis HB-6, Bacillus safensis HB-10, and Bacillus pumilus HB-11). Pot experiments demonstrated that HB-4 and HB-9 significantly enhanced wheat growth, while HB-6, HB-10, and HB-11 alleviated saline-alkaline stress in wheat. This study elucidates the ecological roles of endophytic microbes in H. ammodendron seeds, providing novel insights into the exploitation of microbial resources in desert ecosystems and the development of plant growth-promoting microbial agents. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

Desertification Control

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Wind tunnel simulation test on sand-fixing effect of the nested-square sand-fixing system QU Jianjun, ZHU Zhihao, SHEN Baoshou, GAO Yongping, LI Hong 2025, 42 (9):  1650-1659.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.09 Abstract ( 110 )   HTML ( 6 )   PDF (11648KB) ( 40 )   This study proposes an innovative sand-checkerboard barrier system based on optimized, stead-state dimensions (height-to-length ratio=0.1-0.2), constructed using locally sourced sand to create barriers with a height and length of 20 cm and 100 cm, respectively. Although these sand checkerboards are efficient and cost-effective to construct, they are susceptible to aeolian erosion. To overcome this limitation, we developed a nested-square protection system that integrates sand checkerboards with peripheral barriers made of fiber netting or brush straw checkerboards. Through wind tunnel simulations, we systematically evaluated three configurations: standalone sand checkerboards, fiber-net+sand-checkerboard combinations, and brush-straw-checkerboard+sand-checkerboard composites. The quantitative analyses included sediment flux density profiles, surface erosion/deposition patterns, and functional modeling of height-dependent sand transport. The main findings of this study are summarized as follows. (1) Standalone sand checkerboards effectively reduce sediment flux density within 0-10 cm height but increase transport at higher levels. (2) Front flexible barriers significantly attenuate aeolian kinetic energy, with brush straw checkerboards outperforming fiber nets in transport reduction (84.6%>80.6%). (3) Front barriers effectively maintain barrier integrity at 10 m·s-1, whereas brush straw checkerboard demonstrates superior protection under extreme winds than the fiber net counterpart (The height of sand-checkerboard decreased by 2-8 cm vs. 3-9 cm). (4) Synergistic interactions in the composite systems enhance overall sediment retention and extend service life compared to the standalone configurations. The superior performance of the brush straw checkerboard barriers is attributed to their three-dimensional structure, which creates turbulent microzones for enhanced energy dissipation and their lower comprehensive cost. Moreover, this study offers a scientifically grounded framework for optimizing the barrier design, promoting “local-material utilization” and “sand-combatting-sand” strategies in the desertification control. The proposed nested-square system offers a scalable solution that balances ecological sustainability with engineering effectiveness for arid land management. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Characteristics of wind-sand transport in wide valley wind erosion area in the middle and lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River LIU Hao, GONG Hang, DING Guodong 2025, 42 (9):  1660-1670.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.10 Abstract ( 128 )   HTML ( 14 )   PDF (9981KB) ( 72 )   The wide valley wind erosion area in the middle and lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River is one of the areas with the most frequent wind-sand activities in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the sand emission law of different underlying surface in this area during the wind-sand season for windbreak and sand fixation and sustainable development of the ecological environment. In this study, four typical underlying surfaces in the Linzhi section of the middle and lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin were identified. The characteristics of wind-sand transport on different underlying surfaces were systematically revealed through simultaneous observation of the gradient anemometer and multichannel sand sampler. The main findings are summarized as follows. (1) Affected by the surface vegetation, the near-surface wind speed profile conforms to the logarithmic function; however, the parameters are significantly different. (2) The sediment particle size is spatially differentiated. The proportion of silt in the mobile sand land of the river beach (37.93%) was significantly higher than that of the other underlying surfaces, whereas the riparian sand land was dominated by fine-medium sand (83.49%). (3) The sand transport process has significant underlying surface dependence, and the wind-sand flow structure conforms to the exponential-power function composite model. (4) The order of sand transport per unit area in the wind-sand season is riparian sandy land (96.16 t·d-1)>foothill sandy land (77.65 t·d-1)> beach sandy land (69.87 t·d-1)>sparse forest land (5.23 t·d-1). Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Spatial variations in sediment size serve as a basis for the identification of dust emission source areas around the Badain Jaran Desert LIU Jun, ZUO Hejun, WANG Haibing, ZHANG Xue, LIAO Chengxian 2025, 42 (9):  1671-1680.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.11 Abstract ( 101 )   HTML ( 6 )   PDF (12606KB) ( 17 )   To elucidate the sediment grain size characteristics and identify potential dust emission sources in the regions of the Badain Jaran Desert, 110 surface (0-2 cm) and subsurface (10-20 cm) sediment samples from seven typical areas (Wentugaole Gobi, Alatengaobao Gobi, Yabulai Gobi, Alatengchaoke Gobi, Dingxin-Dongfeng Gobi, Gurinai Dry Lake, and Juyanhai Dry Lake) surrounding the desert were collected in August 2023. Sieving and laser particle size analyses were combined to analyze the grain composition. A sediment erosion-deposition model was used to quantify the potential erosion-deposition and emission rates of PM10. The findings are summarized as follows. (1) Surface sediments exhibited triple peaking distributions dominated by fine sand (2-3 Φ), fine gravel (-3--1 Φ), and very fine silt (8-9 Φ) due to the superimposition of hydraulic processes and eolian erosion. The subsurface layers had quadruple peaking distributions with an additional coarse silt particle peak. The fraction of sand (58.23%-84.60%) in the surface layers significantly exceeded that in the subsurface layers (30.87%-81.20%) as the sand content increased, while the proportions of gravel, silt, and clay declined from the Dingxin-Dongfeng Gobi to the Yabrai Gobi. (2) The surface fine-particle loss in the Dingxin-Dongfeng Gobi and Gurinai Dry lakes was the most pronounced, with the highest values in the potential erosion-deposition rates (7.82%) and emission rates of PM10 (4.01%). In contrast, Yabulai Gobi exhibited the lowest values (0.15% and 0.02% for those traits, respectively. (3) The dry lake areas were dominated by fine-grained deposits from the lake, whereas the Gobi regions were influenced by alluvial-proluvial processes that lacked sorting. The Dingxin-Dongfeng Gobi, a high-wind-energy zone, exhibited surface coarsening due to the high intensity of spatially heterogeneous eolian erosion. In summary, the Dingxin-Dongfeng Gobi and Gurinai Dry lakes were considered the primary potential dust emission sources around the Badain Jaran Desert. Moreover, land conservation in these areas is critical for regional sand control and dust transport between regions. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

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OSL dating of typical eolian sand profiles in the Mu Us Sandy Land since 12.6 ka and its significance HUANG Long, DU Qimin, LI Minqi, Gusiletu , SI Yuejun, HUANG Rihui, HANG Xiaoju, NIU Dongfeng 2025, 42 (9):  1681-1690.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.12 Abstract ( 115 )   HTML ( 7 )   PDF (11883KB) ( 29 )   The environmental evolution of the Mu Us Sandy Land is highly sensitive to global climate change, with its eolian sand and paleosoil series predominantly influenced by the East Asian monsoon system. However, the paleo-environmental response of the Mu Us Sandy Land to monsoon variations displays nonlinear characteristics in certain local regions, increasing the uncertainty in reconstructing regional climatic and environmental changes from eolian sediment records. This study employs optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) method to analyze 8 eolian sediment samples from 3 profiles in the Mu Us Sandy Land. The results indicate that: (1) The accumulation of eolian sand layers primarily occurred at approximately 12.6 ka and 0.1 ka, corresponding to relatively cold and dry climatic conditions, whereas paleosoil layers mainly developed at approximately 6.9 ka and between 9.6 ka and 4.2 ka, likely associated with the Holocene Climate Optimum. This indicates that the evolution of the Mu Us Sandy Land is closely linked to paleoclimate variations. (2) At approximately 12.6 ka, eolian sand layers were present in the southeastern part of the Mu Us Sandy Land but appeared absent in the interior region, possibly suggesting that variations in wind strength and local geographical and geomorphological features are significant factors influencing regional sediment deposition and accumulation. (3) Differences and similarities in the timing of paleosoil development initiation and cessation within interior profiles of the Mu Us Sandy Land may be attributed to local ecological processes, topography, and climatic events. (4) The absence of middle and late Holocene deposits in the southeastern region may be related to fluvial erosion, whereas the uppermost young eolian sand layer observed in the central profiles may suggest an increase in eolian activity due to recent regional aridification. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

Ecology and Environment

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Different and driving factors of carbon sequestration capacity in primary and restored grasslands in China LIU Han, GONG Yazhen, JIA Ce, LIU Shilei 2025, 42 (9):  1691-1702.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.13 Abstract ( 120 )   HTML ( 7 )   PDF (8608KB) ( 25 )   Net primary productivity (NPP) is an important indicator that reflects grassland growth and characterizes grassland carbon sequestration capacity. This article considers four provinces in northern China as research areas. Based on multisource data, such as NPP; terrain and land types; and socioeconomic and meteorological factors, the study analyzes spatiotemporal changes in the carbon sequestration capacity of primary and restored grasslands, explores key driving forces for improving their carbon sequestration capacity, and provides reference for China in formulating targeted grassland ecological policies. The results demonstrated that the carbon sequestration capacity of restored grasslands is approximately 80% higher than that of pristine grasslands. The spatial aggregation variation of carbon sequestration in pristine grasslands (ranging from 0.534 to 0.653) is slightly narrower than that in restored grasslands (ranging from 0.511 to 0.736). Rainfall, sunshine duration, and policies related to ecological conservation zones are common driving forces that enhance carbon sequestration in both types. The optimal conditions for enhancing carbon sequestration in grasslands are rainfall that reach 600 mm and annual sunshine duration that exceed 3000 h. Temperatures more than 8 ℃ are conducive to carbon sequestration in pristine grasslands, while the optimal area for restored grasslands ranges from 100 to 200 km2. Meteorological factors were the primary driving forces prior to the implementation of restoration policies; subsequently, however, the influence of policies began to intensify. The relevant departments should continue to formulate effective ecological restoration policies to help China achieve its dual carbon strategic goals as soon as possible. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Assessment of the spatio-temporal dynamics and emission reduction potential of China's industrial carbon footprint from 2000 to 2021 ZUO Ximei, ZHAO Wenting 2025, 42 (9):  1703-1714.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.14 Abstract ( 138 )   HTML ( 6 )   PDF (5167KB) ( 100 )   Industry is the key field to achieve the goal of carbon peaking and carbon neutralization, but the existing research on the spatio-temporal dynamic evolution of industrial carbon emissions' ecological footprint and its multi-scale impact on the ecosystem is lack of systematic research. Based on the Three dimensional Ecological Footprint Model, this study calculates the industrial carbon footprint of 30 provinces in China from 2000 to 2021, reveals its temporal and spatial dynamic evolution characteristics, and evaluates the regional emission reduction potential. Key findings include: (1) China's industrial carbon footprint exhibits significant spatiotemporal variations, reflecting regional disparities in industrial structure and energy consumption patterns. Central and western regions face mounting emission pressures due to absorbing relocated energy-intensive industries, while eastern regions show improvements. (2) Carbon sink stocks and flows demonstrate regional complementarity but exhibit overall imbalance, with certain areas confronting overloading risks to carbon sequestration resources. (3) Both size and depth of industrial carbon footprints display increasing spatial autocorrelation over time, with agglomeration effects intensifying. Their spatial redistribution trends (inland shift, clustered distribution, and peripheral relocation) reveal gradient transition dynamics of industrial carbon emissions. (4) Carbon reduction characteristics and potentials vary substantially across regions, eastern regions possess greater mitigation potential, whereas central/western regions require prioritized focus on sustainable utilization of carbon sink resources. This study reveals the dynamic relationship between industrial carbon emissions and ecosystem carrying capacity from the perspective of ecology, and proposes differentiated emission reduction strategies based on regional differences, which provides a scientific basis for the construction of low-carbon industrial development and ecological protection collaborative governance model. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Spatiotemporal evolution and prediction of carbon storage in Xinjiang using the PLUS-InVEST model ZHANG Kun, WU Xinping, LIU Yongqiang, ZHANG Lifang, QIN Yan, YANG Yulu, GAN Hui 2025, 42 (9):  1715-1725.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.15 Abstract ( 164 )   HTML ( 16 )   PDF (12348KB) ( 31 )   Under the “dual carbon” background, exploring the spatiotemporal evolution of carbon storage and future scenario predictions is of great significance for maintaining ecological balance, promoting high-quality regional development, and achieving the goal of “carbon neutrality.” As an ecologically fragile and climate-sensitive region, simulating past and future land use changes and carbon storage in Xinjiang can support the effective simulation of emission reduction strategies and ecosystem restoration efforts. This study, based on the sustainable development theory, integrates the PLUS-InVEST model to comprehensively assess land use changes and their impact on carbon storage in Xinjiang from 1990 to 2050. The main findings are summarized as follows. (1) From 1990 to 2020, the land use in Xinjiang was primarily composed of unused land and grassland, accounting for over 67% and 23% of the total land area, respectively. Both categories showed a decreasing trend, while other land types exhibited an increasing trend. (2) Grassland is the primary contributor to carbon storage in Xinjiang, and its degradation is the main cause of carbon storage loss. Between 1990 and 2020, grassland degradation resulted in a carbon storage loss of 224.16 t. (3) By 2050, under the ecological protection scenario, carbon storage is expected to increase by 6.19×107 t. in contrast, under the economic priority scenario, it is projected to decrease by 3.52× 107 t. Through a quantitative evaluation of 30 years of past and projected future land use changes and their impacts on carbon storage, this study provides reliable reference materials and accurate data support for Xinjiang's land management decision-making. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The supply-demand risks of ecosystem services and threshold characteristics of their influencing factors in Fenhe River Basin DUAN Baoling, FENG Qiang, WANG Jing, ZHANG Wei 2025, 42 (9):  1726-1741.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.16 Abstract ( 114 )   HTML ( 3 )   PDF (21585KB) ( 18 )   Revealing the supply-demand risks of ecosystem services and their driving mechanisms is of reference value for supporting the ecological protection and high-quality development. This study developed formulas for supply-demand matching and risk assessment, employing the InVEST model, Extreme Gradient Boosting trees, and Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) to analyze the spatiotemporal differentiation of carbon sequestration, soil conservation, and water yield supply-demand matching from 2000 to 2020, as well as the threshold characteristics of factors influencing supply-demand risks. The results show that: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the supply and demand levels of carbon sequestration and soil conservation continuously increased. The temporal trend of water yield supply was relatively complex but increased significantly in 2020, while the demand for water yield generally showed an increasing trend. Carbon sequestration and water yield demand displayed higher values in the Fenhe river valley and lower values in surrounding mountainous areas, whereas carbon sequestration supply, soil conservation supply and demand exhibited inverse spatial patterns. (2) Carbon sequestration were all in the supply-demand risk zone, while soil conservation exhibited a mixed pattern of high, medium, and low-risk areas. Among them, Linfen region faced the greatest supply-demand risks of carbon sequestration and soil conservation, with the proportion of medium-high risk zones accounting for 21.73% and 18.14% of the basin area respectively. The Fenhe River Basin was mainly in the supply-demand safety zone for water yield, with only Taiyuan and Yuncheng region having relatively high proportion of high-risk zones, accounting for only 6.74%, with high risk areas mainly located in the Taiyuan and Yuncheng regions. (3) Population density and GDP nearly linearly intensified carbon sequestration risks. Annual average temperature exhibited a critical threshold of 10 ℃, beyond which risks were escalated. Soil conservation risks were increased with cropland and grassland coverage, while slope gradient(11°) and precipitation (600 mm) served as inflection points: risks rose rapidly below these thresholds but stabilized above them. Water yield risks were decreased with precipitation and grassland coverage but increased with GDP and population density. With 7 ℃ and 12 ℃ as thresholds, the impact of mean annual temperature on water yield supply-demand risk was characterized by three stages: mild promotion, no impact, and strong promotion. Thus, ecological restoration, economic development, and precipitation changes have collectively driven the spatiotemporal evolution of ecosystem services supply, demand, and associated risks. The supply-demand risk index developed in this study offers practical value for managing ecosystem service supply-demand dynamics. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Spatial autocorrelation between ecological sensitivity and landscape pattern in the Yanhe River Basin JIANG Yongqing, LUO Fujia, LI Jiong, LIU Guangquan, LIU Changhai, AI Ning 2025, 42 (9):  1742-1752.  doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.17 Abstract ( 138 )   HTML ( 4 )   PDF (13896KB) ( 28 )   To explore the distribution and intrinsic connections between ecological sensitivity and landscape patterns in the Yanhe River Basin, this study employed ArcGIS 10.8 and Fragstats 4.2 to analyze their spatial autocorrelation. The results demonstrated that (1) Ecological sensitivity in the Yanhe River Basin exhibits significant spatial variation. The extremely, moderately, and highly sensitive areas spanned 473.04 km2, 1921.21 km2, and 1272.15 km2, accounting for 6.12%, 24.87%, and 16.47% of the total area, respectively, and primarily consisting of water areas, forestlands, and cultivated lands. (2) The spatial autocorrelation between ecological sensitivity and landscape pattern was significant. The number of patches (NP) and edge density (ED) were positively correlated with ecological sensitivity, indicating that higher landscape fragmentation in the Yanhe River Basin led to stronger ecological sensitivity. The largest patch index (LPI) and average patch area (Area_Mp) were negatively correlated with ecological sensitivity. The implementation of forestry ecological projects such as converting farmland to forests (grassland), increased the proportion of large patches in the Yanhe River Basin, effectively reducing ecological sensitivity. Therefore, future ecological protection strategies for the Yanhe River Basin should consider the spatial autocorrelation pattern and tailor measures to different regions, thereby further enhancing ecological protection and promoting high-quality development in the Basin. Figures and Tables | References | Related Articles | Metrics