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The spatially continuous mapping of vegetation structure parameters in forested areas serves as a crucial foundation for research in various fields, including ecosystem ecology, climate change, hydrology, and forest management and protection. However, there is a notable scarcity of regional scale data regarding vegetation structure parameters. Therefore, our objective was to fill this data gap by providing a methodology for mapping vegetation structure parameters in forested areas at regional-scale. Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) provides precise observational data on vegetation structure parameters across the world. Using GEDI vegetation structure parameter point data, we developed a vegetation state coefficient based on the ratio of plant area index (PAI) and vegetation coverage (COVER). Subsequently, we proposed a method for decomposing vegetation coverage to simulate layered vegetation coverage. Taking Jiangxi Province as a case study, we integrated machine learning models to generate a spatially continuous map of vegetation structure parameters in forested areas, including layered coverage and layered leaf area index, in 2020. The map has a spatial resolution of 30 m and a vertical resolution of 5 m. The model exhibits excellent performance. Among the 140 sets of models, approximately 63 % of them achieved an R2 surpassing 0.6, while 89 % of the models achieved a root mean square error (RMSE) below 0.3. This study can serve as a valuable reference for the decomposition of vegetation structure parameters at the regional scale and provide a more precise depiction of the spatial characteristics of vertical vegetation structure at the regional scale. It contributes by providing data support and methodological guidance for research related to forest structure analysis, resource management, and ecological process simulation at the regional scale.

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity not only affects plant growth and development, but also affects human health through the food chain. Several studies have demonstrated that Selenium (Se) alleviates Cd stress in plants; however, whether and how Se-alleviated Cd stress by regulating the structure of soil microbial community remain largely unclear. Here, we investigated the alleviating effects of exogenous applied Se (foliar spraying or root application) on plant growth under Cd stress in perilla (Perilla frutescens L.) by measuring the biomass, photosynthetic fluorescence parameters, root cell wall components and soil microbial community structure and diversity. Under Cd stress, perilla seedlings supplemented with Se increased chlorophyll content. Foliar spraying Se increased the levels of relative chlorophyll content (ΦII), photosynthetic system II (ΦPSII) and electron transport rate (ETR) in perilla leaves under Cd stress; while, root application of Se increased the levels of photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), water use efficiency (WUE) and stomatal limitation value (Ls) under Cd stress. Compared with Cd toxicity alone, root application of Se increased the contents of hemicellulosic 1 and hemicellulosic 2 in the cell wall of perilla roots. Cd toxicity or root application of Se did not affect soil bacterial community diversity. Root application of Se increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Fibrobacteres, Sphingomonas and Nitrosospira in Cd-contaminated soil, and thereby improving soil microbial community structure, finally promoting the growth of perilla seedlings.

ABSTRACT: Paper and plastic bags have been mainly used in fruit bagging of pineapple production. However, they are often discarded as agricultural wastes after harvest of pineapple fruit and threaten environment. In this study, effects of white non-woven fabric bag, expandable polyethylene bag, black plastic bag and kraft paper bag on fruit quality of pineapple cv. ‘MD-2’ were investigated. Results showed that fruits with fruit bagging showed no sunburn. When expandable polyethylene bag was used, fruits of pineapple cv. ‘MD-2’ showed better external qualities, nutrition qualities and texture properties. Expandable polyethylene bag made of degradable and recyclable materials could be recommended as a promising practice to reduce agricultural waste in pineapple production.

The production and release of fission products in fuel rods and the primary coolant have been simulated by the kinetic model during the normal operation of a pressurized water reactor. The typical ratio of I-131/I-133 in the primary coolant has been theoretically estimated at the equilibrium conditions for intact fuels and fuel failure with small or large defects, respectively. The radiochemical data in the primary loops have been gathered and compiled from thirty-six cycles in the operating CPR1000 PWR units. The statistical results show that the predictions made by the model and the statistical results in the operating CPR1000 PWR units are qualitatively in agreement for both intact fuel and fuel failure. It also indicates that the conventional threshold I-131/I-133 ≥ 0.1 for fuel failure may cause misjudgment due to the overlap of distributions, and I-131/I-133 ≥ 0.15 can distinguish 98% operation date for intact fuel rods and 94% operation data for fuel failure.

China has experienced greater and faster urbanization than any other country, and while coordinated regional development has been promoted, urbanization has also introduced various problems, such as an increased scarcity of land resources, uncontrolled demand for urban land, and disorderly development of urban fringes. Based on GIS, remote sensing data, and spatial statistics covering the period 1995–2015, this study identified the patterns, as well as spatial and temporal changes, with respect to urban land expansion in 367 mainland Chinese cities. Over this study period, the area of urban land in mainland China increased from 3.05 to 5.07 million km2, at an average annual growth rate of 2.56%. This urban land expansion typically occurred the fastest in medium-sized cities, followed by large cities, and then small cities, with megacities and megalopolises exhibiting the slowest expansion rates. Nearly 70% of the new urban land came from arable land, 11% from other built land, such as pre-existing rural settlements, and 15% from forests and grasslands. When considering marginal-, enclave-, and infill-type expansion patterns, growth in >80% of the 367 cities surveyed was dominated by marginal expansion patterns. Marginal and enclave expansion patterns were found to be becoming more prevalent, with infill-type expansion being seen less. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis and data support for urban spatial planning, the protection of farmland, and the promotion of urban land use efficiency, and can be used as guidance for regional urbanization planning.

Freeform surface is one of the research focuses in the measurement field. A composite module is composed of a plane and rotating paraboloid. The composite module array can identify 21 geometric errors of the machine tool in a wide range, which is composed of several composite modules. Eliminating the error of the array itself is of great significance for improving measurement accuracy. For this reason, this paper proposed a noncontact method for calibrating the angle and position of the composite module array. This paper used a self-developed angle sensor to access corresponding information and established the mathematical model according to the freeform surface’s geometric characteristics to achieve calibration. In addition, the influence of array placement error on calibration was analyzed. The experimental results showed that the angle repeatability was within 0.4″ around the X-axis and within 0.3″ around the Y-axis, and the position repeatability was within 0.4 µm in the X direction and within 0.7 µm in the Y direction. The measurement comparison experiments with high-precision laser interferometer and uncalibrated array verified the correctness of the experimental results. This method provides an important reference for practical application and freeform surface array calibration, and creates conditions for the implementation of machine tool error detection.

The Southwest China Karst, the largest continuous karst zone in the world, has suffered serious rock desertification due to the large population pressure in the area. Recent trend analyses have indicated general greening trends in this region. The region has experienced mild climate change, and yet significant land use changes, such as afforestation and reforestation. In addition, out-migration has occurred. Whether climate change or human-induced factors, i.e., ecological afforestation projects and out-migration have primarily promoted forest restoration in this region was investigated in this study, using Guizhou Province as the study area. Based on Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data, we found general greening trends of the forest from 2000 to 2010. About 89% of the forests have experienced an increase in the annual NDVI, and among which, about 41% is statistically significant. For the summer season, more than 65% of the forests have increases in summer NDVI, and about 16% of the increases are significant. The strongest greening trends mainly occurred in the karst areas. Meanwhile, annual average and summer average temperature in this region have increased and the precipitation in most of the region has decreased, although most of these changes were not statistically significant (p > 0.1). A site-based regression analysis using 19 climate stations with minimum land use changes showed that a warming climate coupled with a decrease in precipitation explained some of the changes in the forest NDVI, but the results were not conclusive. The major changes were attributed to human-induced factors, especially in the karst areas. The implications of an ecological afforestation project and out-migration for forest restoration were also discussed, and the need for further investigations at the household level to better understand the out-migration–environment relationship was identified.

The research on the grid size suitability is important to provide improvement in accuracies of gridded population distribution. It contributes to reveal the actual spatial distribution of population. However, currently little research has been done in this area. Many well-modeled gridded population dataset are basically built at a single grid scale. If the grid cell size is not appropriate, it will result in spatial information loss or data redundancy. Therefore, in order to capture the desired spatial variation of population within the area of interest, it is necessary to conduct research on grid size suitability. This study summarized three expressed levels to analyze grid size suitability, which include location expressed level, numeric information expressed level, and spatial relationship expressed level. This study elaborated the reasons for choosing the five indexes to explore expression suitability. These five indexes are consistency measure, shape index rate, standard deviation of population density, patches diversity index, and the average local variance. The suitable grid size was determined by constructing grid size-indicator value curves and suitable grid size scheme. Results revealed that the three expressed levels on 10m grid scale are satisfying. And the population distribution raster data with 10m grid size provide excellent accuracy without loss. The 10m grid size is recommended as the appropriate scale for generating a high-quality gridded population distribution in our study area. Based on this preliminary study, it indicates the five indexes are coordinated with each other and reasonable and effective to assess grid size suitability. We also suggest choosing these five indexes in three perspectives of expressed level to carry out the research on grid size suitability of gridded population distribution.

In order to improve the accuracy of the linear motion of computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools, a novel method based on a new type of 1-D (1-dimensional) artifact is proposed to measure the geometric errors. Based on the properties of the displacement measurement of a revolutionary paraboloid and the angle measurement of plane mirrors, the 1-D artifact can be applied to identify position errors and angle errors. Meanwhile, the concrete 6 degrees-of-freedom error identification method is described in this paper in sufficient detail. Through measuring the 1-D artifact horizontally and vertically using the machine tool, the geometric errors can be obtained by calculating the deviation between the characteristic parameter of the 1-D artifact measured by the machine tool and that measured by a more precise method, for example, laser interferometry. Experiments were carried out on a coordinate measuring machine, and the validity and accuracy of the method were discussed by comparing the result with the identification error measured by a laser interferometer.

Using an optical freeform surface to realize the precision measurement of displacement has become a research focus in the present day. However, the measurement range of this method is limited by the size of the freeform surface processed. In order to overcome this difficulty, this paper presents a two-dimensional displacement measurement system with a large range, which is composed of a slope sensor and a rotating paraboloid array. The slope sensor utilizes the optical structure of an autocollimator with minor optimization, and the rotating paraboloid array expands the measurement range of the system in a discrete manner. The experimental results showed that the optimized optical system enhanced the measurement accuracy to ±0.4 μm within the range of 1500 μm and the overall measurement error was approximately ±2 μm when measured within the range of 450 mm. The developed measurement system has potential applicability for detection of errors, such as the position error and straightness error of multi-axis systems.

Error compensation technology offers a significant means for improving the geometric accuracy of CNC machine tools (MTs) as well as extending their service life. Measurement and identification are important prerequisites for error compensation. In this study, a measurement system, mainly composed of a self-developed micro-angle sensor and an L-shape standard piece, is proposed. Meanwhile, a stepwise identification method, based on an integrated error model, is established. In one measurement, four degrees-of-freedom errors, including two-dimensional displacement and two-dimensional angle of a linear guideway, can be obtained. Furthermore, in accordance with the stepwise identification method, the L-shape standard piece is placed in three different planes, so that the measurement and identification of all 21 geometric errors can be implemented. An experiment is carried out on a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) to verify the system. The residual error of the angle error, translation error and squareness error are 1.5″, 2 μm and 3.37″, respectively, and these are compared to the values detected by a Renishaw laser interferometer.

The micro-displacement measurement system with 2D/3D has become increasingly important in the field of scientific research and technology application. In order to explore the application of an optical surface in micro-displacement measurement, a novel and simple 2D micro-displacement measurement method based on the elliptical paraboloid was designed and subjected to experiment. The measurement system takes advantage of the elliptical paraboloid instead of a plane mirror in the optical structure of an autocollimator which has been ameliorated to adapt to curved surface measurement. Through the displacement of the light spot on the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) detector, the displacement of the target could be measured with a linear correlation coefficient of 0.9999. The accuracy of the system is about ± 0.3 μm in a wide range in two dimensions. The results were in good agreement with the theoretical analysis and indicated the potential applicability of the proposed system in the detection of geometric errors of CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) machine tools.

Rapid urbanization and population growth in China have raised great concerns regarding food security caused by the loss of limited cultivated land. In this study, we used remotely sensed data and an agricultural productivity estimation model to characterize the spatiotemporal patterns of the conversion of cropland into urban land and quantify its impacts on agricultural productivity potential during China’s rapid urbanization period, from 1990 to 2010. The results show that urban development has transformed approximately 4.18 Mha, or 2.26%, of the total cropland in China. From 1990 to 2000, approximately 1.50 Mha of cropland was developed, while roughly 1.8 times this amount (2.68 Mha) was converted over the period of 2000 to 2010. Most of the conversion is located in the central and eastern coastal provinces and is mainly concentrated on the periphery of the major urban areas. The transformation has, consequently, caused a 71.45 Tg, or 2.65%, loss of potential light-temperature agricultural productivity (PLTAP); losses were 24.33 Tg in the first decade of the study and 47.11 Tg in the second. At the provincial scale, the largest percentages of PLTAP loss are mainly concentrated in the developed provinces on the eastern coast, such as Shanghai, Beijing, Zhejiang, Tianjin, and Jiangsu. Considering that these areas can accommodate more people and produce higher economic output on unit area of built-up land and, yet, scarce land that can be reclaimed, this study suggests that the dynamic balance of total farmland policy in China should be varied provincially according to the major function of the province. The policy adjustment will help maximize the utilization efficiency of land.

The spatial distribution of population is closely related to land use and land cover (LULC) patterns on both regional and global scales. Population can be redistributed onto geo-referenced square grids according to this relation. In the past decades, various approaches to monitoring LULC using remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been developed, which makes it possible for efficient updating of geo-referenced population data. A Spatial Population Updating System (SPUS) is developed for updating the gridded population database of China based on remote sensing, GIS and spatial database technologies, with a spatial resolution of 1 km by 1 km. The SPUS can process standard Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS L1B) data integrated with a Pattern Decomposition Method (PDM) and an LULC-Conversion Model to obtain patterns of land use and land cover, and provide input parameters for a Population Spatialization Model (PSM). The PSM embedded in SPUS is used for generating 1 km by 1 km gridded population data in each population distribution region based on natural and socio-economic variables. Validation results from finer township-level census data of Yishui County suggest that the gridded population database produced by the SPUS is reliable.

Terrain plays a critical role in the selection of cropland. As a physical and geographical element of the landscape, terrain is an important limiting factor in land use change and has a strong influence on human activities. The objectives of this study are to investigate the topographic characteristics of cropland-related transformations in China during the first decade of the 21st century and to explore the implications of land use change as it relates to securing a national food supply. A 2010 satellite-based land use dataset and the DEM data were used to conduct spatial statistical analysis using altitude, slope, and fragmentation data. The results showed the following. (1) As the urbanization and industrialization of China occur, and China attempts to replace this occupied cropland with newly reclaimed cropland, the topography of the most recently reclaimed cropland has been more poorly suited to farming than the topography of the occupied cropland it replaces in most provinces. (2) The area of occupied cropland was much larger than of those reclaimed; the qualities of occupied and reclaimed cropland were significantly different. (3) Land reclamation mainly occurred in northern China, instead of in southern China, which has a higher level of economic development. Our findings imply that the potential area available for cropland production may be limited.

The variation of microbial community and population with organic loading rate (OLR) increasing before and after sulfate addition was investigated during thermophilic codigestion of coffee grounds, milk wastes, and activated sludge in an AnMBR. Supplement of sulfate at a low concentration of 500 mg/L was effective for overcoming the propionate accumulation which resulted in the inhibition of AnMBR, since it enhanced the activity of microbes which could convert propionate to CH4 and shortened the lag time of methanogenesis from propionate. The accumulated propionate of 3.8 g-COD/L started to be degraded after about 20 d with sulfate addition, then maintained at low level even the OLR increased to 15.2 g-COD/L/d which was higher than the maximum OLR for stable performance before sulfate addition. Using DGGE and qPCR analyses, the microbial community was found to vary significantly during the three operational stages. Methanosarcina was significantly inhibited by propionate accompanied by a shift of methanogenic pathway from aceticlastic to hydrogenotrophic, but it became dominant rapidly after sulfate adding. The bacterial community was significantly affected by sulfate and the typical bacteria appeared after sulfate addition play an important role in effective degradation of propionate and stable performance of AnMBR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As elicitors of terrestrial system change (e.g., land use transformation) through the introduction of anthropogenic causes, the spatial patterns and levels of roads might be more detrimental to the long-term health of ecosystems at a large scale than the road paving itself. This paper reveals the relationship between soil erosion and roads from a large-scale perspective in Jiangxi Province, China. Temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of artificial and natural drive factors of soil erosion alongside roads were addressed. It was found that, from 1990 to 2010, Jiangxi Province experienced an obvious reduction in soil erosion (the mean annual soil erosion rate decreased from 930.8 t.km-2.a-1 to 522.0 t.km-2.a-1), which was positively correlated with road density (p < 0.01). The maximum soil erosion reduction occurred at a distance of 0-1 km from the village roads. The order of soil erosion effects of the four levels of roads is: Village road > county road > provincial/national road. We emphasize that studying the indirect roles of roads in soil erosion is strongly dependent on a comprehensive consideration of historical policy and the economic development stage in a study area. This paper highlights the indirect role of village roads in soil erosion evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascertaining the relationships between sediment transport processes and vegetation cover is essential for watershed soil and water conservation. However, it is not easy to realize this target on a large scale. In this study, the location-weighted landscape contrast index (LCI) based on the "source-sink" theory of ecological processes was introduced to unravel the response of sediment yield to vegetation cover changes in the Poyang Lake drainage area (the largest freshwater lake in China). A modified location-weighted landscape contrast index (mLCI) was proposed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the LCI. The average vegetation fraction of the study area significantly increased from 46.2% in Period I (1992-1994) to 76.5% in Period II (2004-2006) and then slightly decreased to 73.2% in Period III (2011-2013). From Period I to Period II, the area-specific sediment yield (ASY) sharply decreased by 55%. In Period II, the "source" vegetation patches were found further away from the water bodies, and were more likely to be located on gentler slopes than in Period I. From Period II to Period III, the ASY sharply increased by 83%. In Period III, "source" patches were found closer to the water bodies than in Period II, whereas the "sink" patches were found further away from the water bodies. The high statistical correlation between LCIs/mLCIs and ASY indicated a sensitive response of the sediment yield to vegetation cover changes that significantly altered the sediment transport processes in the study area. The ASY was better correlated with the mLCI than with the LCI. Three key harnessing sub-watersheds of the Ganjiang watershed were identified by calculating the mLCIs: Qingfengshan, Yuanhe, and Jinjiang. This study supported watershed ecological management in the Poyang Lake drainage area and provided a methodology reference for future sediment transport process studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper and plastic bags have been mainly used in fruit bagging of pineapple production. However, they are often discarded as agricultural wastes after harvest of pineapple fruit and threaten environment. In this study, effects of white non-woven fabric bag, expandable polyethylene bag, black plastic bag and kraft paper bag on fruit quality of pineapple cv. 'MD-2' were investigated. Results showed that fruits with fruit bagging showed no sunburn. When expandable polyethylene bag was used, fruits of pineapple cv. 'MD-2' showed better external qualities, nutrition qualities and texture properties. Expandable polyethylene bag made of degradable and recyclable materials could be recommended as a promising practice to reduce agricultural waste in pineapple production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]