I analyzed and elaborated the trends in and responses to global change in arid regions of China, from the perspective of nine variables, i.e., temperature, precipitation, river runoff, melting glaciers, water level of lakes, wind power and evaporation, vegetation, oases, and desertification. The climate and hydrology data I cited represent many years of observations. I conclude that, since the 1980s, the climate in arid regions of China has clearly changed with rising temperatures and precipitation in most areas. Wind power and the number of galestorm days have continuously decreased, which resulted in an improvement of humid conditions and increases in river discharge and water levels of lakes. Simultaneously, vegetation also has improved and the process of desertification has essentially been arrested. Although there are some unfavorable developments, such as decreased river flows or flow interruptions and downstream oases have suffered from degradation, these incidental cases should not distract our attention from the generally favorable trends during the middle and late 20th century. These discordant phenomena are not consequences of climate change but rather of unsuitable human activities. Despite a substantial increase in precipitation, the level of the original precipitation was so small that any increase in precipitation was still small. As a result, none of the fundamental conditions such as a scarcity of water resources and precipitation nor the landscape of drought-ridden deserts in the arid regions will change. The vulnerability of the eco-environmental system in the arid regions will not change fundamentally either in the near future.

In order to describe and compare intuitively the impact of different kinds of ground cover on temporal and spatial variation of soil moisture, an experiment was carried out by continuous observations to obtain soil potential data of different treatments. Based on the data, isogram maps were drawn by a regression isogram method. The results indicate that the isogram of treatment A (Paspalum notatum Flugge-covered) is the most complicated among the three treatments with its significant transverse levels, while the isograms of treatment B (mulching of P. notatum Flugge) and C (bare slope) are relatively simple but have clear vertical levels. The variation of soil moisture 30 cm deep in the A treatment is the largest, while that at 60 cm is the second largest and that of 90 cm is the smallest. The variation of soil moisture at all levels of B is fairly small, while that at 30 and 60 cm of C is greater than that 90 cm deep.

Direct seeding is a less expensive practice than planting and has the potential to become a viable alternative to transplanting for afforestation and regeneration purposes. As an effective and a less costly regeneration method, aerial seeding has been applied with several tree species. As early as 1956, Chinese people engaged in aerial seeding and stands with a total of 2.97×10⁷ hm² have been developed up to 2004. Our study tested whether the growth of planted Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) seedlings and its undergrowth development in northwest aspects differ from that of aerially sown seedlings on the northern and northwestern aspects of slopes. In 2007, we collected data such as height, diameter at breast height (DBH), clear bole height and canopy widths of trees, abundance, coverage, and frequency of shrubs and herbs from 21-year-old planted Chinese pine stands on a northwestern aspect (PNW), aerially sown stands in a northwest aspect (ANW) and aerially sown stands in a northern aspect (AN). Results showed that the relation of crown area and mean DBH was best fitted by a double inverse model for the ANW and AN forests and by a quadratic model for the PNW forest. There was no difference in the growth between ANW and AN forests, while growth was significantly higher in the PNW forest than in the ANW and AN forests. That was consistent with the Sorenson diversity indices in the shrub and herb layers, indicating that there was a large number of the same species in both aerially seeded stands, although their locations were different. Both the number of species in the undergrowth and the Shannon-Wiener index in the shrub layer were higher in the PNW stands than in the ANW and AN stands. Dominant families for all three stands were Rosaceae and Compositae in the shrub and herb layer, respectively. The dominant species for all three stands was Spiraea pubescens in the shrub layer, while the dominant species was different from each other in the three stands. The discrepancy in diversity and composition of species in the herb layer show that herbs are sensitive to shrubs in the three forests. High mortality and skewed diameter distributions reflect severe competition and too high a density in the aerially seeded forests. Thus, aerial seeding is a viable and effective regeneration technique, but management practices, such as thinning, should be applied to these forests.

A self-organizing feature map (SOFM) neural network is a powerful tool in analyzing and solving complex, non-linear problems. According to its features, a SOFM is entirely compatible with ordination studies of plant communities. In our present work, mathematical principles, and ordination techniques and procedures are introduced. A SOFM ordination was applied to the study of plant communities in the middle of the Taihang mountains. The ordination was carried out by using the NNTool box in MATLAB. The results of 68 quadrats of plant communities were distributed in SOFM space. The ordination axes showed the ecological gradients clearly and provided the relationships between communities with ecological meaning. The results are consistent with the reality of vegetation in the study area. This suggests that SOFM ordination is an effective technique in plant ecology. During ordination procedures, it is easy to carry out clustering of communities and so it is beneficial for combining classification and ordination in vegetation studies.

By modeling the condition of light climate, we studied the negative effect of shadows in a shelterbelt forest. Based on the calculation of the apparent trajectory of solar motion according to an ellipsoid crown projection model and a Monsi light transmission model, radiation values of 36 experimental sites were measured using a light quantum meter. Estimates of daily solar radiation distribution from measured values were obtained. We built a crown projection model and simulated the conditions of a light climate in the forest. The trajectory of the shadow motion is shaped like a butterfly arc. The situation of the outside is affected by tree height (H) and that of the inner arc by height below the branches. In an area of 1.0 ×

In order to examine correlations among the properties of tree species and to quantify the relationships between these properties and flammability, the properties of 20 tree species, consisting of heat of combustion, extractive contents, ash content, moisture content and basic density, were measured via experimental methods. In the first instance, the results show that, there are significant correlations between heat of combustion and extractive contents, ash content and basic density. Second, heat of combustion can be presented effectively in terms of linear regression models with extractive contents and ash content as independent variables. Third, a flammable model was developed based on four properties of tree species as independent variables, i.e., heat of combustion, extractive contents, ash content and moisture content. Finally, the flammability of 20 tree species is compared, ordered and ranked based on this flammable model. The conclusion is that flammability can be predicted from properties of tree species, which are significantly correlated among themselves.

The dynamic change of soil water as a function of leaf area index and the soil water deficit value, prerequisites for assuring the survival of plants, were simulated. We established a dynamic soil water model based on a theory of water balance, the characteristics of the environment, and the physiological ecology of the plants in the Ulan Buh Desert, northwestern China. We estimated the soil water carrying capacity of the vegetation in our study area of the desert. The results showed that the proportion of soil evaporation in the total amount of precipitation was greater than 60% in the wandering and semifixed sands and 44.8% in the fixed sand. When the leaf area index was less than 1.7 m²/m², the soil water deficit was maintained at a low level, but when the leaf area index continued to increase, the soil water deficit increased rapidly as well. In consequence, we come to the conclusion that the leaf area index of the soil water carrying capacity of the vegetation is 1.7 m²/m² in our study area.

The hydrological characteristics of litter in four different forest succession stages, i.e., a Pinus massoniana forest, a mixed conifer and broad-leaved forest with conifer being the dominant species, a mixed conifer and broad-leaved forest with deciduous trees as dominant species, and an evergreen broad-leaved forest, have been studied by means of substituting space for time. The results show that while a community is developing to a zonal climax, the amount of litter becomes larger and its decomposition intensity becomes stronger; there is a positive relation between its water-holding capacity and velocity and its community maturity for the half-decomposed litter layer.

The distribution of root biomass was studied in different soil layers (0―10, 10―20, 20―30, 30―40?cm) by means of a “study plot” method for various plant species in the Shangshe Catchment area in the Dabie Mountains, Anhui Province. The number and lengths of root samples were recorded. In each study plot, anti-scourability of soils in corresponding soil layers was measured with a C.C. Suoboliefu anti-scourability instrument. The results showed the following: 1) The root system was largely distributed in the 0―40?cm soil layer and the number of roots was the largest in the surface soil layer. Fine roots <1?mm in diameter predominated in root length. 2) In the same section, the anti-scourability indices of the surface soil layer were larger than those of other soil layers in the various plant species. The tree root system, especially the fine roots <1?mm in diameter, are highly instrumental in controlling soil losses. Correlation coefficients of length, number and density of fine roots and the anti-scourability index were 0.8173, 0.7159 and 0.6434, respectively. The length of fine root is a key factor in the anti-scourability soil index. This index is closely correlated with the non-capillarity of each soil type, indicating that forests have a strong soil stabilizing function, because their root systems improve physical soil properties and ultimately are responsible for the establishment of a bio-soil system with an anti-scourability index.

Reforestation is one of the most effective ways to reduce the impacts of desertification. Caragana microphylla Lam. and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litrin have been widely used to stabilize shifting sands in the Horqin sandy land area since the 1980s. However, soil water depletion has been of major concern in C. microphylla and P. ongolica plantations and in many places current soil moisture cannot meet the demand of growing plants. To determine the water budget of C. microphylla and P. mongolica plantations, we studied the effect of plantations on soil moisture and assessed the evapotranspiration in plantations of both species. Investigations were conducted at a fenced plot at Wulanaodu (42°29′N, 119°30′E, 479?m a. s. l), located at the western edge of the Horqin Sandy Land area in Inner Mongolia, northern China. Five year old C. microphylla and seven year old P. mongolica plants were selected from the plantations and transplanted to iron boxes (400?cm×200?cm×120?cm) which can drain extra water. Plant spacing of 1?m×1?m was applied to P. mongolica, and two plant spacings of 1?m×1?m and 1?m×2?m to C. microphylla. The transplanted plants grew for two years in the boxes. Soil moisture from soil surface to a depth 80?cm were measured at 20?cm intervals in boxes every 10?d (2004) or 3?d (2005) during the growing season with a TDR water meter. The evapotranspiration was estimated from a mathematical formula and the characteristics of soil water consumption and evapotranspiration of these two plantations were analyzed. The soil water of P. mongolica was more than that of C. microphylla at the same 1?m×1?m spacing. The soil water of C. microphylla with the 1?m×2?m spacing was more than that of the 1?m×1?m spacing. The evapotranspiration ranged from high to low as follows: C. microphylla (1?m×1?m), C. microphylla (1?m×2?m) and P. mongolica (1?m×1?m) during the growing seasons. The evapotranspiration of individual plants ranging from high to low was C. microphylla (1?m×2?m), C. microphylla (1?m×1?m), and P. mongolica (1?m×1?m) during the growing season. C. microphylla grown for five year consumed more water than P. mongolica grown for seven years at the same spacing.

Spearman rank-correlation analysis and grey relational grade analysis were used to study infiltration characteristics of water in different forest soils in the Simian mountains, Chongqing City. The results indicate that the soil bulk density, contents of coarse sand, and porosity of macropores were significantly correlated with saturated hydraulic conductivity. Porosity of macropores and contents of coarse sand were positively correlated with soil saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil bulk density negatively. Based on the initial infiltration rate, the stable infiltration rate, time required for infiltration to reach a stable state, and cumulative infiltration, all of which are crucial parameters determining soil infiltration capacity, the results of grey relational grade analysis showed that the grey relational grades of the different forest soils were listed from high to low as broad-leaved forest (0.8031)>Phyllostachys pubescens forest (0.7869)>mixed conifer-broadleaf forest (0.4454)>coniferous forest (0.4039). Broadleaf forest had the best ability to be infiltrated among the four soils studied. The square roots of the coefficients of determination obtained from fitting the Horton infiltration equation, simulated in our study of forest soils, were higher than 0.950. We conclude that soils of broad-leaved forests were the best suited for infiltration processes of forestry in the Simian mountains.

We studied the distribution of soil nutrients, the number of soil microorganisms, soil enzyme activities, and their relationships in pure and mixed plantations. Soil enzyme activities, the number of soil microorganisms, and soil nutrients were measured in plantations of Chinese pine (Pinustabulaeformis), larch (Larix kaempferi), sharp tooth oak (Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata), Manchurian catalpa (Catalpa fargesii), and mixed plantations in the Qinling Mountains, China. Compared with pure plantations, the conifer-broad-leaved broadleaf mixed plantations increased total N, available N, total P, available K, and organic matter in the forest soil; promoted the activities of invertase and urease by 16.7% and 53.8%; and increased the total amount of soil microorganisms by 95.9% and the number of bacteria by 104.5% (p<0.05). The correlations between soil enzymes, number of microorganisms, and soil nutrients were significant (p<0.05), and the correlations between the number of soil bacteria and basic nutrient prosperities (total N, available N, available K, and organic matter (OM)) were significant or highly significant. The correlations between the number of soil actinomycetes, and soil total N, available N, OM, and pH were also significant or highly significant. A suitable mixture of planted conifers and broad-leaved species improves the quality and amount of soil nutrients, increases the number of soil microorganisms and changes their redistribution. The change of soil enzymes and the number of soil microorganisms are indications of the change tendency of soil nutrients.

The objectives of our study were to explore the relationship of leaf area and stand density and to find a convenient way to measure stand leaf areas. During the 2004 growing season, from May to October, we used direct and indirect methods to measure the seasonal variation of the leaf areas of tree and shrub species. The trees were from Robinia pseudoacacia stands of four densities (3333 plants/hm², 1666 plants/hm², 1111 plants/hm², and 833 plants/hm²) and Platycladus orientalis stands of three densities (3333 plants/hm², 1666 plants/hm², and 1111 plants/hm²). The shrub species were Caragana korshinskii, Hippophae rhamnoides, and Amorpha fruticosa. Based on our survey data, empirical formulas for calculating leaf area were obtained by correlating leaf fresh weight, diameter of base branches, and leaf areas. Our results show the following: 1) in September, the leaf area and leaf area index (LAI) of trees (R. pseudoacacia and P. orientalis) reached their maximum values, with LAI peak values of 10.5 and 3.2, respectively. In August, the leaf area and LAI of shrubs (C. korshinskii, H. rhamnoides, and A. fruticosa) reached their maximum values, with LAI peak values of 1.195, 1.123, and 1.882, respectively. 2) There is a statistically significant power relation between leaf area and leaf fresh weight for R. pseudoacacia. There are significant linear relationships between leaf area and leaf fresh weight for P. orientalis, C. korshinskii, H. rhamnoides, and A. fruticosa. Moreover, there is also a significant power relation between leaf area and diameter of base branches for C. korshinskii. There are significant linear relations between leaf area and diameter of base branches of H. rhamnoides and A. fruticosa. 3) In the hills and gully regions of the Loess Plateau, the LAIs of R. pseudoacacia stand at different densities converged after the planted stands entered their fast growth stage. Their LAI do not seem to be affected by its initial and current density. The same is true for P. orientalis stands. However, the leaf area of individual trees is negatively and linearly related with stand density. We conclude that, in the hills and gully regions of the Loess Plateau，the bearing capacity of R. pseudoacacia and P. orientalis stands we studied have reached their maximum limitation, owing to restricted access to soil water. Therefore, in consideration of improving the quality of single trees, a stand density not exceeding 833 and 1111?plants/hm² is recommended for R. pseudoacacia and P. orientalis, respectively. In consideration of improving the quality of the entire stands, the density can be reduced even a little more.

The difficulty in information communication and sharing are major problems for forest fire monitoring and early warning in China. As authors, we applied web service technology to a personal digital assistant (PDA) forest fire monitoring system and propose the framework of a monitoring system based on service-oriented architecture (SOA). At the same time, we describe the composition and function of web services from a server side and a client side. The method for developing a web service invocation engine on the PDA is introduced in detail. Finally, an example of a fire danger rating and fire weather services system are established, based on the Beijing Forest Fire Control System. The results show that the PDA forest fire monitoring system based on web services can effectively take advantage of the existing fire protection decision information services, realize real-time information interaction and sharing, and improve the level of forest fire monitoring.

The collection of information on bamboo forests plays a crucial role in the calculation of carbon content reserves, and the acquisition of high-precision information will be good for reducing estimation errors. High precision is obtained with the adoption of a back propagation (BP) neural network to extract information on bamboo forests from Enhanced Thematic Mapper+ (ETM+) remote sensing images with the assistance of neural network modules provided by Matlab. We obtained a production precision of 84.04% and a user precision of 98.75%. We also conducted a comparison of classification differences of three training functions, i.e., the, Levenberg-Marquardt BP algorithm function (Trainlm), a gradient decreasing function of adaptive learning rate BP (Traingda), and a gradient lowering momentum BP algorithm function (Traingdm). Our analysis suggests that Traingda had the highest precision while Trainlm function required the shortest training time.

Mechanical properties and the visible and near infrared (NIR) (350―2500 nm) spectra obtained from longitudinal and transverse face of 155 small clear wood samples of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) were measured, and 103 of them were used to establish calibration models. Calibrations were tested on an independent set (52 samples). Differences between calibrations developed by using the longitudinal and transverse face were small. The calibrations developed by using NIR spectra (350―2500 nm) collected from transverse face were slightly inferior to those developed by using NIR spectra collected from longitudinal face. When reducing the spectral range to between 780 and 1050 nm, the calibrations developed by using NIR spectra collected from longitudinal face were slightly inferior to those developed by using NIR spectra collected from transverse face, and reducing the spectral range causes no decrease in the quality of the models developed using NIR spectra collected from transverse face. Partial lease square (PLS) modeling and test showed that calibrations developed using the visible and NIR spectra from transverse and longitudinal faces and calibrations developed by using the reducing spectral range (780―1050 nm) from the transverse face were moderate, and have a RPD range from 1.51 to 1.90. It is concluded that NIR spectroscopy can be used as an initial screening.

In this study heartwood from a Chinese fir [Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook] plantation was treated using a high-temperature drying (HTD) method at 115°C, a low-temperature drying (LTD) method at 65°C, and freeze vacuum drying (FVD), respectively. The dynamic viscoelastic properties of dried wood specimens were investigated. The measurements were carried out at a temperature range of −120 to 250°C at four different frequencies (1, 2, 5, and 10 Hz) using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). We have drawn the following conclusions: 1) the storage modulus E′ and loss modulus E′′ are the highest for HTD wood and the lowest for FVD wood; 2) three relaxation processes were detected in HTD and LTD wood, attributed to the micro-Brownian motion of cell wall polymers in the non-crystalline region, the oscillations of the torso of cell wall polymers, and the motions of the methyl groups of cell wall polymers in the non-crystalline region in a decreasing order of temperatures at which they occurred; and 3) in FVD wood, four relaxation processes were observed. A newly added relaxation is attributed to the micro-Brownian motions of lignin molecules. This study suggests that both the HTD and the LTD methods restrict the micro-Brownian motion of lignin molecules somewhat by the cross-linking of chains due to their heating history.