scholarly journals Driving Factors of Recent Vegetation Changes in Hexi Region, Northwest China Based on a New Classification Framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1758
Author(s):  
Ju Wang ◽  
Yaowen Xie ◽  
Xiaoyun Wang ◽  
Kunming Guo
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
River Basins ◽  
Comprehensive Treatment ◽  
Vegetation Changes ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
New Classification ◽  
Classification Framework ◽  
Hexi Region

Since other factors (soil properties, topography, etc.) under natural conditions are relatively invariant over one or two decades, climate variables (precipitation and temperature) and human activities are the two fundamental factors driving vegetation changes in global or large-scale areas. However, the combined effects of either single climatic factor and human activities on vegetation changes and the role of human activities itself in a specific region has not been fully discussed. In this study, the Hexi region, a typical dryland consisting of three inland river basins in northwest China was selected as a case area. A new classification framework combining Pearson correlation analysis and residual trend approach was proposed to assess their individual and conjoint contributions of climate variables and human activities in areas of significant vegetation changes. Our results indicated that most of vegetation covered areas in the Hexi region experienced significant changes during the period 2001−2017, and vegetation improvements were widespread except the interior of oases; significant changes in vegetation caused by human activities, precipitation, the interactions of precipitation and human activities, temperature, the interactions of temperature and human activities, the interactions of temperature and precipitation, and the interactions of the three factors accounted for 50.46%, 16.39%, 19.90%, 4.33%, 2.32%, 2.11%, and 4.49% of the total change areas, respectively. Generally, the influence of temperature was relatively weaker than that of precipitation, and the contributions of the interactions of climate variables and human activities on vegetation changes were greater than that of climate contributions alone. Moreover, the results of various investigations, according to the trends and the time of vegetation changes, indicate that decreasing trends of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in the Hexi region were chiefly attributed to the adjustments of agricultural planting structure while the comprehensive treatment programs implemented in river basins supported a large proportion of vegetation improvements.

scholarly journals Vegetation Change and Its Response to Climate Extremes in the Arid Region of Northwest China

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1230
Author(s):  
Simeng Wang ◽  
Qihang Liu ◽  
Chang Huang
Keyword(s):  
Arid Region ◽  
Vegetation Change ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Climate Extremes ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Precipitation Extremes ◽  
Temperature Extremes ◽  
Increasing Trend

Changes in climate extremes have a profound impact on vegetation growth. In this study, we employed the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and a recently published climate extremes dataset (HadEX3) to study the temporal and spatial evolution of vegetation cover, and its responses to climate extremes in the arid region of northwest China (ARNC). Mann-Kendall test, Anomaly analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, Time lag cross-correlation method, and Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression (Lasso) were conducted to quantitatively analyze the response characteristics between Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and climate extremes from 2000 to 2018. The results showed that: (1) The vegetation in the ARNC had a fluctuating upward trend, with vegetation significantly increasing in Xinjiang Tianshan, Altai Mountain, and Tarim Basin, and decreasing in the central inland desert. (2) Temperature extremes showed an increasing trend, with extremely high-temperature events increasing and extremely low-temperature events decreasing. Precipitation extremes events also exhibited a slightly increasing trend. (3) NDVI was overall positively correlated with the climate extremes indices (CEIs), although both positive and negative correlations spatially coexisted. (4) The responses of NDVI and climate extremes showed time lag effects and spatial differences in the growing period. (5) Precipitation extremes were closely related to NDVI than temperature extremes according to Lasso modeling results. This study provides a reference for understanding vegetation variations and their response to climate extremes in arid regions.

scholarly journals Simulating impact of over-grazing on grassland degradation using GIS: a case study in the Heihe River Basin, China

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Bingyu Wang ◽  
Takashi Oguchi ◽  
Lin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
River Basins ◽  
Heihe River ◽  
Grassland Degradation ◽  
Inland River ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Heihe River Basin

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Inland river basins in arid to semi-arid regions are widely distributed in Northwest China, Central Asia, Central Australia, and North Africa, and are often subject to significant human activities. The most distinctive natural feature of such basins is the shortage of water resources, and the pivotal reasons involve less precipitation and heavy evapotranspiration (ET). In recent years, intensive human activities also damage the natural environment of the basins. They result in many problems especially the deterioration of ecological environment which will lead to severe consequences such as desertification, sandstorm, the disappearance of wetlands, reduction of forest and grassland degradation. They prevent us from achieving the goal of sustainable development. How to balance economic development and ecosystem conservation and to realize the sense of sustainability in inland river basins will be vitally important.</p><p>The Heihe River is the second largest inland river in the Northwest of China with a long history development by human (Figure 1). Water resources from the river are crucial not only for the ecosystem but also for local human societies. The Heihe River Basin (HRB) is divided into three zones with different landscapes and natural environments. The upstream of HRB is the headstream which generates water resources mainly from glaciers and snow in Qilian Mountain. A large population of nomadic national minorities inhabits here and keeps animal husbandry as the primary production activity. In the early times, the Chinese government encouraged production activities to stimulate economic growth, and significant over-grazing and resultant severe grassland degradation occurred. Grassland is crucial for maintaining water resources especially in arid regions, without grasses most water will quickly evaporate into the air. Therefore, land resource management about grassland and the impact of human activities on the natural environment are of high research value in the HRB.</p><p>This research aims to investigate the impact of over-grazing on grassland degradation in the inland ecosystem of the HRB. The changes of grassland distribution were simulated under different over-grazing scenarios to provide a reference for resource management and the related decision-making process and to contribute to the sustainable development of the region.</p>

scholarly journals Quantitative Detection and Attribution of Groundwater Level Variations in the Amu Darya Delta

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2869
Author(s):  
Xiaohui Pan ◽  
Weishi Wang ◽  
Tie Liu ◽  
Yue Huang ◽  
Philippe De Maeyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Groundwater Level ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Aral Sea ◽  
Irrigation Area ◽  
Amu Darya ◽  
Pearson Correlation Analysis ◽  
Groundwater Dynamic

In the past few decades, the shrinkage of the Aral Sea is one of the biggest ecological catastrophes caused by human activity. To quantify the joint impact of both human activities and climate change on groundwater, the spatiotemporal groundwater dynamic characteristics in the Amu Darya Delta of the Aral Sea from 1999 to 2017 were analyzed, using the groundwater level, climate conditions, remote sensing data, and irrigation information. Statistics analysis was adopted to analyze the trend of groundwater variation, including intensity, periodicity, spatial structure, while the Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to quantify the impact of climate change and human activities on the variabilities of the groundwater level. Results reveal that the local groundwater dynamic has varied considerably. From 1999 to 2002, the groundwater level dropped from −189 cm to −350 cm. Until 2017, the groundwater level rose back to −211 cm with fluctuation. Seasonally, the fluctuation period of groundwater level and irrigation water was similar, both were about 18 months. Spatially, the groundwater level kept stable within the irrigation area and bare land but fluctuated drastically around the irrigation area. The Pearson correlation analysis reveals that the dynamic of the groundwater level is closely related to irrigation activity within the irrigation area (Nukus: −0.583), while for the place adjacent to the Aral Sea, the groundwater level is closely related to the Large Aral Sea water level (Muynak: 0.355). The results of PCA showed that the cumulative contribution rate of the first three components exceeds 85%. The study reveals that human activities have a great impact on groundwater, effective management, and the development of water resources in arid areas is an essential prerequisite for ecological protection.

scholarly journals Issues surrounding the classification of accounting information

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huibrecht Van der Poll ◽  
Daan Gouws
Keyword(s):  
Balance Sheet ◽  
Accounting Information ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Classification Theory ◽  
New Classification ◽  
Second Nature ◽  
Classification Framework ◽  
Income Statement ◽  
Current Classification

The act of classifying information created by accounting practices is ubiquitous in the accounting process; from recording to reporting, it has almost become second nature. The classification has to correspond to the requirements and demands of the changing environment in which it is practised. Evidence suggests that the current classification of items in financial statements is not keeping pace with the needs of users and the new financial constructs generated by the industry. This study addresses the issue of classification in two ways: by means of a critical analysis of classification theory and practices and by means of a questionnaire that was developed and sent to compilers and users of financial statements. A new classification framework for accounting information in the balance sheet and income statement is proposed.

scholarly journals Architectures of Planetary Hybrid Powertrain System: Review, Classification and Comparison

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lihua Wang ◽  
Yahui Cui ◽  
Fengqi Zhang ◽  
Guanglei Li
Keyword(s):  
Power Flow ◽  
Hybrid Electric Vehicles ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
New Classification ◽  
Hybrid Powertrain ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Classification Framework ◽  
Powertrain System ◽  
System Review ◽  
Intuitive Method

Increasing environmental issues and energy crises led to rapid developments of hybrid electric vehicles, especially the planetary hybrid powertrain system (PHPS). This paper presents a comprehensive review of the PHPS, focusing primarily on contributions in the aspect of configuration, classification and comparison. In this work, a new classification method for PHPS architectures is proposed according to the number of electric motors (EMs). In addition, two kinds of PHPS, in the new classification framework, are extensively emphasized in terms of its architectures, advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, the port diagrams of representative architectures are presented to provide an intuitive method for power flow representation. Finally, a conclusion is made to provide an insight for developing PHPS as well.

Comparison of Queue-Length Models at Signalized Intersections

2000 ◽  
Vol 1710 (1) ◽  
pp. 222-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadhely Viloria ◽  
Kenneth Courage ◽  
Donald Avery
Keyword(s):  
Queue Length ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Traffic Signals ◽  
Comprehensive Treatment ◽  
Highway Capacity ◽  
Left Turn ◽  
Highway Capacity Manual ◽  
Classification Framework ◽  
Queue Model ◽  
Measures Of Effectiveness

Several measures of effectiveness (MOEs) are associated with the queuing process at traffic signals, including delay, number of stops, fuel consumption, emissions, and queue length. The focus in this study is on queue length in general and on the storage requirements for left turns in particular. Queue length is an important MOE because queues that overflow the available storage space have an adverse effect on the overall operation of the intersection. Many traffic models now provide queue-length estimates, but the procedures used by these models are based on different queue definitions and have different computational approaches that lead to different results. A classification framework is developed for the existing models, their behavior is compared with that of the proposed Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 2000 queue model, and queue conversion factors are provided for translating the various model outputs to their HCM 2000 equivalent. The proposed HCM 2000 model and its parent model from the Signalized and Unsignalized Intersection Design and Research Aid (SIDRA) provide a comprehensive treatment of the queuing process, accounting for control parameters such as controller type and progression quality as well as for the random and overflow effects associated with traffic flow. As such, the queue-length estimates from these models are more analytically defensible than those of the simpler theoretical models. The SIDRA and HCM 2000 queue estimates are generally higher than those of most other models and are somewhat higher than what conventional wisdom would suggest. It is suggested as a result of the comparisons presented that the queue estimates from some models are unduly optimistic when demand approaches capacity and that a goal of 90 percent confidence in the adequacy of left-turn storage lanes may be difficult to achieve under these conditions.

Vegetation history and dynamics in the middle reach of the Yangtze River during the last 1500 years revealed by sedimentary records from Taibai Lake, China

The Holocene ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiayun Xiao ◽  
Xiangdong Yang ◽  
Ji Shen ◽  
Sumin Wang ◽  
Bin Xue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Yangtze River ◽  
Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Transitional Period ◽  
Vegetation Changes ◽  
The Yangtze River ◽  
Mixed Conifer ◽  
Middle Reach ◽  
Evergreen Broadleaved Forest ◽  
Pollen Types

Pollen and charcoal records of a 150 cm long lake sediment core from Taibai Lake in the middle reach of the Yangtze River reveal seven major changes in regional vegetation over the last 1500 years. During the period c. ad 480–710, evergreen broadleaved forest dominated by Castanopsis/Lithocarpus and evergreen oaks occurred in the Taibai Lake catchment. From c. ad 710 to 1050, the vegetation shifted to a mixed conifer and broadleaved forest, with Pinus expanding at the expense of Castanopsis/Lithocarpus. Between c. ad 1050 and 1320, evergreen broadleaved forest reoccupied the studied area. From c. ad 1320 to 1650, the area of primary forest decreased markedly with synchronous reduction in broadleaved trees and Pinus. Between c. ad 1650 and 1740, the biomass declined rapidly, while secondary Pinus forest began to expand. During c. ad 1740–1950, forest extent increased slightly compared with the previous stage, but the landscape was still secondary forest with the minimum proportion of broadleaved trees. After c. ad 1950, the biomass in the surrounding area was very low, with vegetation types similar to that at present (secondary Pinus forest and mixed conifer and broadleaved forest). A detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) with 125 samples and 34 main pollen types is used to separate human and climatic impacts on vegetation. Then, the pollen assemblage, DCA, charcoal record, and magnetic susceptibility are combined to discuss the key factors inducing these vegetation changes. The vegetation changes were mainly controlled by the climatic changes, with the weak impacts of human activities before c. ad 1320. Since then, the intensity of human influences on vegetation increased gradually, entering a transitional period of main controlling factors of vegetation changes from nature to human activities. After c. ad 1740, the vegetation changes were chiefly controlled by human activities, and the climatic signal was weak.

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