Characteristics and Utilization of Climatic Resources in the Central Hexi Corridor

Abstract

In this paper,the climatic resources including sunlight,quantity of heat and water vapor in Zhangye City in the Hexi Corridor since recent 50 years are analyzed.The results show that Zhangye City is characterized by rich sunlight,obvious difference in heat distribution,less precipitation over the plains,and plentiful water vapor over the mountains in the south.The climate subareas are various,and the agriculture production patterns are complicated.According to the climatic characteristics,some utilization ways of climatic resources are suggested for the Development of the West Regions and agricultural structure regulation in west China.The Hexi Corridor is located in northwest Gansu Province,Zhangye City in the central corridor has the distinctive characteristics of the terrain of "one river between two mountains".The territory is divided into three main topographical zones: the Qilian Mountains is located in the south,Heli Mountain-Longshou Mountain lie in the north,and the corridor plain in Zhangye Basin is in the central part.The central corridor plain is 212 km in length,50~80 km in width,and covers an area of 1.61×106 hm2,accounting for 38.3% of the total land in Zhangye City.Here the land is flat with fertile soil and irrigation facilities.Oasis agriculture is developed well.Temperate continental arid climate is prominent in the central Hexi Corridor because of the effects of special geographical location and terrain.Summer is short but not hot,winter is long,dry and cold.Temperature is sharply increased in spring but decreased obviously in autumn with less rainfall.Natural disasters,such as drought,frost,strong wind and wind-blown sand,occur frequently.Climate conditions affect obviously the agriculture,animal husbandry and forestry.