Altay Region Research Articles

ЭКОЛОГО-ЭПИЗООТОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА АНОПЛОЦЕФАЛИДОЗОВ МЕЛКОГО РОГАТОГО СКОТА В ФЕРМЕРСКИХ ХОЗЯЙСТВАХ АЛТАЙСКОГО КРАЯ

The purpose of the study is to identify in the Altay Region the most pathogenic helminths among small livestock that threaten the health of farm animals, and their harmfulness and extent of spread. Using the coprooscopic method, fecal samples from sheep of 3 groups were examined: up to one year, from 1 to 2 years and over 2 years. Using the method of complete helminthological autopsies, 18 heads of sheep were opened on farms, of which 11 were aged from 1 to 2 years and 7 heads were older than 2 years. We studied the timing of infection in lambs by monthly examination of the same animals, starting from two months of age until they reach two years of age. All lambs were from the same farm; no anticestodal measures were carried out, so the natural course of the invasion was not disturbed. The survey began at the end of May 2020 with a group of lambs that reached two months of age in the amount of 26 heads. The number of oribatid mites was studied by collecting oribatid mites using a special technique. From the class of cestodes among sheep, 5 species are most often recorded with an average level of extensive infestation from 0.5 to 44.4 %. Anoplocephalid eggs were first discovered in lambs of the current year of birth in July. Moniesia were found throughout the year in young animals from one to two years of age. In March, April, and May they were recorded in single animals in this group of sheep. The seasonal dynamics of the number of oribatid ticks is directly dependent on natural and climatic conditions: significantly fewer ticks were recorded in the steppe zone than in the forest-steppe and floodplain zones. The results of the study show that monieziosis in young lambs kept on pasture is detected coprologically in the conditions of the Altai Region no earlier than July. Two peaks of activity of the intermediate hosts of moniesia, oribatid mites, have been recorded: spring and autumn.

Research on the Origin and Evolution of Hu Jia

The Silk Road originated from the Western Han Dynasty. The word Silk indicates that it was originally a trade route, which eventually developed into a bridge for economic, cultural, and artistic exchanges between the East and the West. It connected Central Asia, West Asia, and countries around the Mediterranean, allowing different countries and different styles of music and dance to collide, promoting music exchanges and development in the surrounding countries along the Silk Road. As for the introduction of musical instruments and music into the Central Plains, the Silk Road has undoubtedly had a positive impact on the development of Chinese music. It can be said to be a music canal that runs through the East and the West. Jia, with its mournful sound, is originally a musical instrument played by the Hu people. The wooden Hu Jia of the Han Dynasty was introduced to the Central Plains by Zhang Qian's expedition to the Western Regions, while the reed Hu Jia was popular in Mongolian ethnic regions. This ancient ethnic musical instrument has almost disappeared and has gone through a legendary journey. Its structure and changes are of great research value. This paper uses methods of literature analysis and case analysis to study the playing techniques of Hu Jia and its evolution from the Western Han Dynasty to the present. Through the argumentation in this paper, it is discovered that the three-hole Hu Jia used in the Xinjiang Altay region in 1985 was still the same as those used in the Western Jin Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty, indicating that Hu Jia has not been lost.

Evaluating and Correcting Temperature and Precipitation Grid Products in the Arid Region of Altay, China

Temperature and precipitation are crucial indicators for investigating climate changes, necessitating precise measurements for rigorous scientific inquiry. While the Fifth Generation of European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Atmospheric Reanalysis (ERA5), ERA5 of the Land Surface (ERA5-Land), and China Meteorological Forcing Dataset (CMFD) temperature and precipitation products are widely used worldwide, their suitability for the Altay region of arid and semi-arid areas has received limited attention. Here, we used the Altay region as the study area, utilizing meteorological station data and implementing the residual revision method for temperature and the coefficient revision method for precipitation to rectify inaccuracies in monthly temperature and precipitation records from ERA5-Land, ERA5, and CMFD. We evaluate the accuracy of these datasets before and after correction using bias, Taylor diagrams, and root-mean-square error (RMSE) metrics. Additionally, we employ Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite precipitation data (TRMM) as a benchmark to assess the performance of ERA5-Land, ERA5, and CMFD monthly precipitation before and after correction. The results revealed significant differences in the temperature and precipitation capture capabilities of ERA5-Land, ERA5, and CMFD in the Altay region. Overall, these data exhibit substantial errors and are not directly suitable for scientific research. However, we applied residual and coefficient revision methods. After this revision, ERA5-Land, ERA5, and CMFD showed significantly improved temperature and precipitation capture capabilities, especially for ERA5-Land. In terms of temperature, post-revision-CMFD (CMFDPR) demonstrated better temperature capture capabilities. All three datasets showed weaker performance in mountainous regions compared to plains. Notably, post-revision-ERA5 (ERA5PR) seemed unsuitable for capturing temperature in the Altay region. Concerning rain, CMFDPR, post-revision-ERA5-Land (ERA5-LandPR) and ERA5PR outperformed TRMM in capturing precipitation. CMFDPR and ERA5-LandPR both outperform ERA5PR. In summary, the revision datasets effectively compensated for the sparse distribution of meteorological stations in the Altay region, providing reliable data support for studying climate change in arid and semi-arid areas.

“11?26”阿勒泰地区特强寒潮天气过程分析

“11?26”阿勒泰地区特强寒潮天气过程分析

The role of climatic factor timing on grassland net primary productivity in Altay, Xinjiang

Grassland, as highly vulnerable ecosystem, requires a comprehensive understanding of its dynamics and response patterns to climate factors in response to climate change challenges. While previous research has primarily centered on the influence of interannual climate variability on grassland Net Primary Productivity (NPP), knowledge of the impacts of seasonal or monthly climate variations on annual net primary productivity (ANPP) remains limited. This study investigated the climatic drivers of grassland NPP dynamics in Xinjiang's Altay region from 2000 to 2022 using the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford approach (CASA) model and the random forest regression model. The study examined the significance and patterns of precipitation, solar radiation, temperature, soil moisture, and snowmelt water on NPP at three temporal scales. The results revealed the following key findings: (1) Grassland NPP declined significantly from 2000 to 2009 but showed a gradual increase from 2009 to 2022. Spatially, higher values were observed in the northern region and lower values were observed in the southern region. (2) Precipitation was the primary influential climate factor affecting grassland NPP, followed by solar radiation, temperature, soil moisture, and snowmelt water. In determining the significance of climate factor timing on ANPP, June played a critical role particularly for precipitation, temperature, and soil moisture, while August was essential for solar radiation. Moreover, the importance of snowmelt water had a bimodal distribution, with peaks in April and October. (3) Grassland NPP exhibited diverse nonlinear response dynamics and spatial heterogeneity to various climate factors at different temporal scales. These findings highlight the importance of considering both the magnitude and the local conditions, as well as the timing of climate variations when studying grassland dynamic responses to climate change and predicting future impacts. These insights enhance the comprehension of the intricate dynamics of grassland ecosystems and enhance predictions of their responses to future climate change.

Altay Seismicity Evolution after the 2003 Chuya Earthquake

The 2003 Chuya earthquake had a noticeable impact on the seismicity of the whole Altay region. The article presents data on changes in the seismic regime of Altay from 2003 to 2021. It is shown that in the first six months after a major earthquake in 2003, earthquakes occur in the epicentral zone, and other structures of Altay are aseismic. After 2009, changes are formed both in the near zone, covering geological structures adjacent to the epicenter, such as the Aigulak, Kuray, South Chuya, North Chuya ridges, and in the far zone at distances of 250‒300 km from the epicenter and in different directions from it. After the Aigulak earthquake of 2019, an aftershock process was formed, which ensured the displacement of the center of Altay seismicity into the ridge of the same name. The explanation of the seismicity development in space and with time delays for years can be given on the basis of the influence of a large earthquake on the multi-layered lithosphere in accordance with models that assume the occurrence of disturbances during a large earthquake not only in the fragile part of the earth’s crust, but also in layers with high plasticity.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE MIGRATION PROCESSES ON THE POPULATION DYNAMIC OF ALTAY REGION

The lack of human resources is a serious problem for Altay region that negatively affecting the economic development of the region. The migration processes are one of the factors that exert influence on the condition of the human resources and act as an indicator of the social and economic development of the region. The migration of the population becomes a leverage of the economic growth in the host regions. At the same time the outflow of qualified staff personnel from the territory of the donor regions is akin to a reduction in investment in their economy. The study found that during the specified period, the number of migrants arriving in the region decreased by 8.3 %, while the migration outflow decreased by 56.4 %. Arriving internal migrants is distributed in approximately equal proportions between the urban and rural populations, and most of them leave the countryside. More than 90 % of international migrants arriving in the region are CIS citizens. To a greater extent, people of active working and reproductive age (30–39 years) leave the region. For every man who left the region, there were 3 women who left. The conducted research allows us to prioritize the formation and implementation of the migration policy of the region. The activities aimed at increasing its economic potential are coming to the fore. Special attention should also be paid to the expansion and improvement of infrastructure in the broad sense of the word, conducting systematic monitoring of migration processes, development of regional systems of higher and secondary special education, immigration from abroad of qualified foreign specialists, as well as compatriots wishing to return to their homeland.

Geomorphic influences on land use/cover diversity and pattern

Landforms directly or indirectly affect land use/cover diversity and its spatial distribution. However, the interactions between complex topography and land use/cover patterns remain unclear. To explore this concern, a study was performed in the Altay region, Xinjiang, which is a typical region with multiple geomorphic and land use/cover types. Topographic variables, including elevation, slope, aspect, relief amplitude, topographic wetness index (TWI), surface solar radiation value (SRV) and land use/cover diversity indexes (LDIs) were extracted and calculated. Firstly, the dominant distribution area of each land use/cover type was calculated by a topographic distribution index, and the results showed that forest and steppe land covers were mainly distributed on mountains with slopes > 5°, small relief platforms and hills and large relief mountains; agricultural, urban, water and Gobi desert land uses/covers were concentrated on plains, gently rolling hills and low mountains with slopes < 5° with elevation of approximately 800 m. Further research indicated that the moving-window method providing the characteristic scale of land use/cover diversity was 210 m, and the spatial distributions of the LDIs were obtained. Combined with landscape structure information entropy (LSIE), the results showed that the LDIs and LSIE were highest on plains, hills and low-mountains. Regularity occurred between landform and land use/cover: a higher elevation, greater relief amplitude, higher TWI, and gentle slope resulted in a simpler land use/cover type and smaller LDIs. The interrelationships between LDIs and topographic variables were evaluated via redundancy analysis (RDA) and Spearman correlation coefficient analysis, and results indicated that elevation, slope and TWI, strongly influenced the land use/cover diversity and pattern. Fully considering the relationship between geomorphic conditions and land use/cover is essential for rationally developing land resources and sustainable development.

Актуальные вопросы подготовки медицинских сил и средств Службы медицины катастроф Алтайского края в рамках проведения командно-штабных и тактико-специальных учений

Summary. Investigation purposes – to make reasonable a usage of equipment report card of specialized medical-nurses teams (MNT) of Service of disaster medicine (SDM) of Altay region (Service), made for elimination of medical-sanitary consequences of emergency situations (ES), including cases of conducting antiterrorists operations; to teach specialists, according to crated situation exercises, from Service a skills of medical sorting conduction of victims and injured with gunshot and shrapnel wounds in the conditions of field medical sorting point (FMSP). Materials and methods of investigation. Investigation materials – normative legal acts in the spere of organization and conducting of antiterrorists exercises with attracting of forces and means of SDM, including material of inter-department work group which leads by deputy Governor of Altay region. Legislative and regulatory framework were analyzed. Experience of conducting a command-staff exercises (CSE) and elimination of medical-sanitary losses, including losses in case of antiterrorists operations, was researched. It allowed to assess a system of medical treatment provision and to develop a complex of measures for Service improvement. During summarizing of exercises results of the intermediaries reference was analyzed. Investigation results and their analysis. During the exercise to eliminate a medical-sanitary consequences of ES a work of Service forces and measures in pre-hospital periods was organized; FMSP was deployed; Ensuring of temporary medical points for providing round-the-clock urgent medical help in the points of temporary placement (PTP) of population by the forces of SDM was provided for; Provision of psychological help was ensured by specialists from Altay region clinical psychiatrist hospital named after Y.K. Ardman. In addition, members of unregular former of Altay region bureau of forensic medical examination were on alert. This way, all forces and measures of SDM were ready for the elimination of medical-sanitary consequences of ES according to the plan for municipal formers.

A dataset of Trollius chinensis distribution in Altay, Xinjiang during 1995–2018

Xinjiang is rich in wild medicinal resources, which are mainly distributed in Tianshan Mountains and Altai Mountains in Northern Xinjiang. Trollius chinensis is one of the plants with heat clearing and detoxifying effects. It has been listed as one of the recommended Chinese medicinal materials for poverty alleviation in China’s traditional Chinese medicine industry, with a good market prospect. This dataset is formed based on the field study on Trollius chinensis in Altay, Xinjiang. It consists of three types of multi-source data: 81 Trollius chinensis sample point data, 42 environmental variable data and one Trollius chinensis distribution data. Among them, the data of sample points were collected through field study in July, 2018 as well as June and July, 2019; The number of environmental variables includes 39 climatic data and 3 topographic data. The climatic data are obtained by interpolating the data of 6 meteorological stations in Altay region from 1995 to 2018, and the topographic data are obtained based on elevation data processing; the distribution data of Trollius chinensis are obtained through inputting the sample point data and environmental variable data into MaxEnt model for analysis. This dataset can provide a data basis for predicting the function evaluation of the potential suitable growth area of Altay Golden Lotus. Referring to the distribution area of Altay Golden Lotus, suitable growth areas can be selected for introduction and artificial cultivation. The dataset can support the resource development and species diversity protection of Altay wild Golden chinensis, and prop up the research of scientific researchers on such medicinal plants. Moreover, it also has certain value for the scientific research of other wild medicinal plants in this field.

The Main Problems of the Water Ecological Environment and Protective Countermeasures in the River Basin of the Altay Region, Xinjiang

This study systematically sorted out the situation of the water ecological environment in the river basins of the Altay region, and analyzed the main problems that exist concerning water environmental quality, water ecology, water resources, and other aspects. The Altay region has three major river systems: the Irtysh River, the Ulungur River and the rivers of Jimunai County. The water environmental quality of major rivers in the region remained stable, and the total amount of water resources in the Altay region is at the forefront of Xinjiang. However, insufficient ecological flow in the Altay basin, serious water ecological damage and water environmental risks are still prominent. Based on the main problems which were identified and the distribution of the river system, the Altay region would be divided into four areas: the Irtysh River Basin, the Ulungur River Basin, the river basins of Jimunai County, and the desert control unit in the south, and the four areas was divided into eleven water ecological environment control units. In order to provide scientific and technological support for the improvement of the water ecological environmental quality of the river basins in the Altay region, general ideas and countermeasures are put forward for protecting the water ecological environment of the river basin from the three aspects of enhancing water pollution prevention and control, strengthening the protection of water resources, and reinforcing water ecological protection and restoration.

Characteristics of NDVI Changes in the Altay Region from 1981 to 2018 and Their Relationship to Climatic Factors

Vegetation growth and its response to climatic factors have become one of the most pressing issues in ecological research. However, no consensus has yet been reached on how to resolve this problem in arid areas with a high-elevation gradient and complex underlying surface. Here, NOAA CDR AVHRR NDVI V5 for 1981–2018 and China’s regional surface meteorological faction-driven datasets were used. General linear regression, the Mann-Kendall test and sliding t-test, Pearson correlations, and the Akaike information criterion (AIC), on a grid-scale, were applied to analyze the annual normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and its relationship with temperature and precipitation in the Altay region. Results revealed that the temporal trend of NDVI for most grid cells was non-significant. However, mountains, coniferous forests, grasslands, and meadows in the high-elevation zone displayed a slow increasing trend in NDVI. Further, NDVI was positively correlated with the mean annual temperature and total annual precipitation, the latter playing a more significant role. Yet, for desert and shrub vegetation and coniferous forest, their NDVI had insignificant negative correlations with the mean annual temperature. Hence, both the trends and drivers of NDVI of high elevation are highly complex. This study’s findings provide a reference for research on vegetation responses to climate change in arid areas having a high-elevation gradients and complex underlying surfaces.

Radiobacillus kanasensis sp. nov., a halotolerant bacterium isolated from woodland soil.

A novel Gram-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, endospore-forming salt-tolerant bacterium strain (80T), was isolated from woodland soil collected near Kanas lake in the Altay region of Xinjiang, PR China. The strain grew at 15-45 °C, pH6.0-9.0 and with 0-14 % (w/v) NaCl. The complete genome size of the novel strain was 4 031 766 bp including a circle chromosome and a circle plasmid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 38.99 mol %. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence and genome showed that strain 80T has the highest similarity to Radiobacillus deserti TKL69T. However, the novel strain showed an average nucleotide identity value of 78.65 % (lower than 95 %) and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of 22.30 % with R. deserti TKL69T based on the genome sequences. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17:0 and C16 : 1 ω7c alcohol. The only respiratory quinone was MK-7. The cell wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminophospholipid and two unidentified glycolipids were identified as the major polar lipids. The phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses showed that strain 80T represents a novel species of the genus Radiobacillus and the name Radiobacillus kanasensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 80T (=GDMCC 1.2844T=JCM 35077T).

Interannual variation and chemical characterization of major water-soluble inorganic ions in snow across Northwest China

From November 2018 to April 2020, 438 snow samples were collected near two field observation sites in Heihe and Altay, Northwest China, and the pH and major water-soluble inorganic ions (Ca2+, SO42−, Na+, NO3−, Cl−, K+, Mg2+, and NH4+) were analyzed. To identify the source of ions, the enrichment factor method, Pearson correlation analysis, and HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single Practical Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) backward trajectory analysis were employed. The snow was nearly pH neutral, and Ca2+ was the dominant cation present. The anion concentration demonstrated high variability. Affected by geographical location and atmospheric circulation, the concentration of soluble inorganic ions in snow from the Altay region was higher than that in the Heihe region and remote areas at high altitude or high latitude. Compared with 2018/2019, ion concentrations in snow increased in 2019/2020, especially in the Altay region. Moreover, the temporal trend of ion concentrations was stable, indicating that the source and migration path of ions had strong consistency. Our study suggested that terrestrial sources are the main driving factors for the ions observed in snow samples from Northwest China, and some ions are also the result of anthropogenic sources (NH4+, SO42−, and NO3−), marine sources (Cl− and Na+), and salt mine dust (Cl−, Na+, SO42−, and K+).

Non-native fish of the Upper Irtysh and the Ulungur Rivers in China.

The Chinese section of the Irtysh River Basin and the Ulungur River Basin, two major river basins of the Altay region, are located at the northwest of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. As an international river, the Chinese section has seven state-level protected fish and seven local-level protected species as well. Many more commercial species have been introduced from eastern China and other countries, accompanied by some low-value and small-sized fish in recent decades. The non-native fish species have already threatened these protected fish. This study investigated the distribution of non-native fish species in the Chinese section of the Irtysh River Basin and the Ulungur River Basin. The basic data for the biodiversity conservation and the information of the non-native fish in these two river basins were gathered. There are a lot of studies on native fish in the Chinese section of the Irtysh River Basin and Urungur River Basin in China, but there is a lack of studies on non-native fish. Thirteen non-native fish belonging to four orders, nine families and 12 genera were collected in this study. The study includes one dataset. The dataset presents taxonomy, distribution, water body and location for each of the non-native fish collected from the Chinese section of the Irtysh River Basin and the Ulungur River Basin. Our study has found that the proportion of native species has declined, while the number of non-native species has increased from 2013 to 2022. The information we provided could help to develop an international strategy for the protection of aquatic biodiversity.

What happens to Saker Falcon in Chinese Altai?

In China, the protection level of Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) has been upgraded from National Level II to National Level I in 2021. Why is this happening? We know there are some reasons for this. Firstly, there has been excessive capture over the past thirty years, including legal or illegal activities focusing on domestic and foreign markets, of course, most of which have been negotiated between governments. The most symbolic event was Qatar's support of 100 million Yuan to establish a Saker Falcon Breeding Center of Altay in 2014. Soon, the relevant departments issued orders and target tasks to capture young falcons in various counties in the Altay region. In addition to capturing a large number of migrating falcons for supply to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, other threats have also quickly emerged in northern Xinjiang. For example, largescale mining, including direct destruction of breeding habitats by open-pit coal mines and quarries, as well as the construction of hundreds of power stations locally for the so-called “from West to East Power Transmission” project. The results are almost complete loss of habitats, frequent electrocutions, collisions, and poisoning. Although relevant departments have also built artificial nests for falcons in other places, the results have been minimal and insufficient to compensate for rapid population loss.

Spatial homogeneity pursuit of regression coefficients for hand, foot and mouth disease in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 2018

To explore the complex spatial pattern between the incidence of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and meteorological factors [average temperature (AT), average relative humidity (ARH), average air pressure (AP), average wind speed (AW)], this paper constructed a Spatial Clustering coefficient (SCC) regression model to detect spatial clustering patterns of each regression coefficients in different seasons. The results revealed that compared with geographically weighted regression (GWR), the coefficients estimated by SCC method were more smooth with clearly identified spatial and improved edge effects. Therefore, interesting spatial patterns were easy to identify in the SCC estimated coefficients. And then, the SCC method had better estimation accuracy in estimating the relationship between potential meteorological factors and HFMD cases. Meteorological factors had different significance in their effect on HFMD incidence depending on the season. Specifically, the influence of AT on HFMD was negatively correlated in summer and winter, especially in the Altay region, Bayingoleng Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Turpan region and Hami region. Second, AW had positive effects with HFMD in summer, but the AW played a negative role in the whole Xinjiang in winter. In Tianshan district, Shayibake district, Shuimogou district, etc. in summer, ARH showed a strong negative correlation, but in Alar city it had a high positive correlation, however, in winter ARH showed a high negative correlation in Altay regions, Aksu region and other places had negative effects, and it showed a strong positive correlation in Shayibak district. Finally, AP had a strong positive correlation with HFMD in summer in Shaybak district, but in winter, AP showed a strong negative correlation in Altay district and Buxel Mongolia Autonomous county. In summary, Xinjiang should adapt measures to local conditions, and formulate appropriate HFMD prevention strategies according to the characteristics of different regions, time, and meteorological factors.

Characteristics of water vapor sources and precipitation contributions to drought and wet events on the Chinese Loess Plateau

In this paper, the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) at the monthly scale was derived based on the ground observations to obtain different drought and wet events at the surface of the Loess Plateau in summer from 2000 to 2017. Using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NECP) Final Analysis (FNL) data for the same period, backward simulations with the FLEXPART model were performed to obtain the water vapor transport characteristics and potential evaporative sources corresponding to different dry and wet events. Finally, the contribution of water vapor sources to precipitation on the Loess Plateau was obtained. The results show that the primary sources of water vapor on the Loess Plateau during dry and wet summer events are concentrated in the Loess Plateau and the Yunnan-Kweichow Plateau regions and sporadically distributed in the Altay region of Xinjiang, as well as at the junction of China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. The evaporation extent and intensity in northern Xinjiang and Mongolia increase when the surface experiences wet-normal-dry events. The local internal circulation on the Loess Plateau contributes to 31.3% and 36.8% of the water vapor in drought and wet events, respectively. Influenced by the westerly wind belt and southwest monsoon, the precipitation contributions of the Yunnan-Kweichow Plateau are 11.2% and 13.1%, respectively, and those of Mongolia are 14.6% and 11.9%, respectively. The water vapor contributions from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal in the south are insignificant. The results aid in understanding the mechanisms of drought and wet events on the Loess Plateau.

Estimation and Mapping of Actual and Potential Grassland Root Carbon Storage: A Case Study in the Altay Region, China

The actual root carbon storage (ARCS) and potential root carbon storage (PRCS) of grasslands play an important role in the global carbon balance and carbon neutralization. However, estimation of these indicators is difficult. In addition, their spatial patterns and crucial driving factors also require clarification. In this study, an approach for accurate estimation of ARCS and PRCS was developed incorporating a support vector machine model and high-accuracy surface modeling. Based on field data collected from Altay Prefecture in 2015, the estimation accuracy (R2) of root biomass in the 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm soil layers of grassland were 0.73, 0.63, and 0.60, respectively. In addition, the spatial patterns of actual root carbon density (ARCD) and potential root carbon density (PRCD) were analyzed. The ARCD increased with the increase in elevation. High PRCD was located on hillsides with a gentle slope. The dominant interaction factors for the ARCD spatial pattern were temperature and precipitation, whereas the main interaction factors for the PRCD pattern were temperature and slope. The grassland ARCS and PRCS in Altay Prefecture were estimated to be 48.52 and 22.69 Tg C, respectively. We suggest there is considerable capacity to increase grassland ARCS in the study area.

Millennial‐ to centennial‐scale anti‐phase relationship between the Westerlies and the East Asian summer monsoon and its cultural response along the Silk Roads after a great earthquake in southern Altay ~ 3500 cal a BP

AbstractIt is strongly debated whether the Westerlies and the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) are in‐phase, anti‐phase or out‐of‐phase, and how hydroclimatic changes in the above two climate systems affected trans‐Eurasian cultural exchanges during the late Holocene. In this study, we establish a 3500‐a‐long paleoclimatic sequence based on high‐resolution analyses of sedimentological and geochemical data of a well‐dated sediment core from Yileimu Lake in southern Altay. High percentages of the &gt;63‐µm fraction and high values of Zr/Rb and Rb/Sr ratios indicate strong transport of weakly weathered, coarse sediments into the depocenter of the lake caused by enhanced surface runoff and catchment erosion associated with a wet climate, and vice versa. High values of Ca and total inorganic carbon (TIC) contents imply increased precipitation of endogenic carbonates in the lake water under intense evaporation associated with a dry climate, and vice versa. This new record indicates two wet intervals at 3500–2300 and 600–100 cal a bp, interrupted by a severe and prolonged dry interval from 2300 to 1000 cal a bp, and a mild dry interval with occasionally wet conditions from 1000 to 600 cal a bp. These results are broadly consistent with other paleoclimatic records in Westerlies‐dominated Asia and are generally anti‐phase with those in the EASM region. We suggest that a strengthening/weakening and southward/northward migration of the Westerlies during a negative/positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) transported more/less water vapor into arid Asia. Meanwhile, a decreasing/increasing El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) superimposed on a southward/northward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) triggered a weakening/strengthening and southward/northward movement of the West‐Pacific subtropical high (WPSH), resulting in decreasing/increasing EASM intensity. In addition, the wet climate from 3500 to 2300 cal a bp may have contributed to the development of nomadic herding in the eastern Eurasian Steppe and Altay region, and to the opening of the proto‐Silk Roads. Potentially, intense seismic activities in the Altay Mountains ~3500 cal a bp may have also promoted the opening of the proto‐Silk Roads by forcing the herdsmen to move to the inter‐mountainous basins. The strong EASM intensity from 2300 to 1000 cal a bp in eastern China may have contributed to the creation of the ancient Silk Roads by the Han Dynasty.