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The MEdium Resolution Spectral Imager (MERSI) is the keystone instrument onboard FengYun-3 (FY-3). After FY-3A, FY-3B MERSI is the second launched in November 2010. Nineteen of the 20 MERSI spectral bands are the reflective solar bands, which cannot be absolutely calibrated onboard. The annual vicarious calibration (VC) based on synchronous in situ measurements at the Dunhuang site is the baseline calibration method for MERSI. To assure frequent and stable calibration updates, a multisite calibration tracking method is developed. This paper presents the FY-3B MERSI postlaunch daily calibration updating method based on multisite calibration tracking with the Dunhuang VC correction, the long-term sensor response on-orbit change, and the calibration performance evaluation. A reflectance-based method is used for the Dunhuang VC, and the reflectance calibration uncertainties are within 3% for most MERSI bands. The multisite calibration tracking method relies on simulated radiation over several stable sites without synchronous in situ measurements. A postlaunch daily calibration updating model is established using a linear function of days since launch to describe the long-term trend. The calibration updating model is validated by the Dunhuang VC, showing the relative bias within 3.5% for most bands. It is found that the shortwave channels of MERSI experience large degradation, particularly the 412-nm band with an annual degradation rate of approximately 18%, whereas most red and near-infrared bands are relatively stable. Using the calibration updating model with the Dunhuang VC correction, the recalibrated MERSI data are validated against Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer by near synchronous-nadir-observation analysis, and good agreement is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Sloping Land Conversion Program (also known as “Grain for Green” or the Upland Conversion Program) for converting cropland to forest is one of China''s most ambitious environmental initiatives, and is one of the world''s largest land-conservation programs with a budget of RMB 337 billion (over US$ 40 billion). Although environmental impacts have played a vital role in the general reasoning and argumentation for forest plantations, environmental impact analyses have often received less attention than economic analyses in the planning of plantation forestry projects. The overall goal of this paper is to evaluate the program''s environmental impact considering the farmer''s interests and the potential social benefits due to carbon sequestration in different scenarios based on household and field survey data in Dunhua County. Our findings are that: (1) in many cases, the program did not give adequate consideration to land productivity and environmental heterogeneity when selecting plots; (2) more than half of the reforestation plots were on flat cropland (slopes of less than 5°); (3) in five of the eight townships, net incomes on reforested land were substantially above or below previous crop incomes, raising questions about the efficiency of the allocation of compensation to farmers participating in the program; (4) the potential carbon co-benefit increased the NPV of the program by 5954–7009RMB/ha. In conclusion, we recommend that more attention should be paid to the quality of reforestation programs rather than just their scale and note that consideration of potential carbon sequestration co-benefits enhances the benefits of cropland conversion programs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a discussion of Buddhist art in the famous caves of Mogao, in Dunhuang, China. Constructed along the Silk Road between the fifth and 14th centuries, the richly decorated caves represent Buddhist iconography and ritual practice, and many ancient Buddhist manuscripts have been found at these sites. The article focuses on the murals and sculptures of one cave, designated number 231, which are believed to date from the early ninth century. The cave was constructed by the Yin family, and the artwork is said to combine representations of filial piety and Buddhist sutras.

The article discusses attempts by the Chinese government and others to preserve the Mogao Grottoes in China, also known as the Mogao Caves, the Peerless Caves, the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, or the Dunhuang Caves. The caves are located on the Silk Road, in Gansu province, China. The caves contain some of the finest examples of Buddhist art spanning a period of 1,000 years, the article indicates. Other topics include Chinese Buddhist grottoes and the efforts of the Chinese government to preserve long-neglected cultural treasures.

The article provides information about the star chart found in one of the Mogao caves in Dunhuang, China. It describes the full picture of the chart which is dated between 649 and 684 AD and was considered as the oldest extant graphical star atlas in the world. It also interprets the astronomical text that accompanied each star map which is a method that is still used in geographical mapping. Moreover, information about the presentation of the star chart in British Library in London, Englnad in connection to the celebration of the International Year of Astronomy is presented.