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[Objective] To understand the variations in soil erodibility and nutrient content caused by different slope positions and land uses, and to discuss the influence of various factors on soil erodibility and nutrient status. [Methods] Soil and root samples were collected, and the Comprehensive Soil Erodibility Index (CSEI) and Comprehensive Soil Nutrient Index (CSNI) were calculated using a weighted sum method under different slope positions and land uses. [Results] (1) There were differences in both CSEI and CSNI among different slope positions. The highest value of CSEI was recorded on the slope crest (0.653) and the lowest value was at the bottom of the slope (0.275), while the highest value of CSNI was found on the slope crest (0.715) and the lowest value was at the top of the slope (0.341). (2) Differences in both CSEI and CSNI were observed among different land uses. The highest value of CSEI was observed in fallow land (0.617) and the lowest value was in forests (0.252), while the highest value of CSNI was found in forests (0.793) and the lowest value was in fallow land (0.322). (3) CSEI was significantly negatively correlated with clay content, sand content, root length density and aboveground biomass. It was also significantly positively correlated with silt content and soil bulk density. Soil bulk density had the greatest direct impact (0.26). CSNI was significantly positively correlated with clay content, sand content, root length density and aboveground biomass. It was also significantly negatively correlated with silt content and soil bulk density. Clay content had the greatest direct impact (0.45). There was a significant negative correlation between CSEI and CSNI. [Conclusion] Slope position significantly influences both CSEI and CSNI, emphasizing the importance of focusing on slope crests and mid-slopes in vegetation restoration efforts. Vegetation restoration in various geomorphic positions effectively reduces CSEI and enhances CSNI, with trees being more effective in controlling soil erosion.

[Objective] To quantitatively study the relationship between land use change and ecosystem service value in Sichuan section of the upper reaches of the Yellow River in the past 20 years, and to evaluate the effect of comprehensive ecological management in this section, so as to provided a basis for improving ethnic regional spatial planning, ecological environmental protection and management, and promoted the high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. [Methods] Using the land use data of the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Sichuan in 2000, 2010 and 2020, land use change was analyzed based on land use dynamic attitude and land use matrix, and the economic value of the ecosystem service value equivalent per unit area of the terrestrial ecosystem in China was revised. The effects of land use change on the ecosystem service value in the upper reaches of the Yellow River from 2000 to 2020 in Sichuan were quantitatively studied. [Results] (1) From 2000 to 2020, the land use area of forest, desert, wetland and water system in the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Sichuan showed an increasing trend, while the land use area of cultivated land, shrub, grassland and glacial and snow in the upper reaches of the Yellow River showed a decreasing trend, and the land use change in 2010—2020 was more significant than that in 2000—2010. (2) The ecosystem service value of the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Sichuan in 2000, 2010 and 2020, was 1.27×1010, 2.51×1010, 3.92×1010 yuan, respectively, showing an increasing trend. The sensitivity analysis showed that the analysis results were reliable. Amongall land use types, grassland made the most significant contribution to total ecosystem value, and the contribution rate of grassland ecological service was 93.90% and 72.90% in 2000—2010 and 2010—2020, respectively, followed by wetland and forest land. (3) In the study area, the value of each individual ecosystem service showed an increasing trend in the past 20 years, and the sub-value of regional ecological service function was regulatory service>support service>supply service>cultural service. Among the 11 individual functions, the significant service value was climate regulation, hydrology regulation, soil conservation and biodiversity. The sum of the four items accounted for more than 69.50% of the total value. Land use change in the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Sichuan affected the changes of regional ecosystem service value, and grassland was the most significant, followed by wetland and forest land. [Conclusion] The results showed that the results of ecological governance in the past 20 years have been gradually enhanced, and the ecological environment has continuously improved.

[Objective] The carbon and water cycles in terrestrial ecosystems are the core of the material and energy cycles in terrestrial ecosystems, and also the link connecting the geosphere, the biosphere and the atmosphere. Forest vegetation is an important component of terrestrial ecosystems, an important variable characterized the terrestrial carbon-water cycle, and plays an important role in maintaining the dynamic balance of the biosphere and the atmosphere. Currently, there is a lack of systematic analysis and summary of the coupling relationship and mechanism of carbon-water cycle in terrestrial ecosystems. [Methods] This paper summarizes the research and its progress on forest vegetation carbon and water cycle processes and their interactions, as well as the definition, methods, progress and outlook of carbon-water coupling at different spatial scales (leaf to regional/global scales) from the perspectives of forest vegetation carbon and water processes and their interactions, and vegetation water use and coupling mechanisms, respectively. [Results] Emerging technologies and methods have realized high-frequency observations of hydrocarbon processes at different scales, and coupled indicator systems such as WUE have promoted the research and development of hydrocarbon coupling mechanisms. [Conclusion] In conclusion, we have systematically elucidated the multi-scale integration of vegetation carbon-water coupling relationship and carbon-water coupling mechanism, which provides a theoretical basis for the systematic understanding of forest carbon-water coupling mechanism and water resource management, and is of great significance as a scientific support for the future decision-making of vegetation operation and management.

The alteration of landscape spatial patterns (LSPs) and ecosystem services (ESs) in watersheds can have detrimental effects on the local environment and community. However, a comprehensive understanding of the current state of LSPs and ESs in watersheds around Winter Olympic venues in China is limited. Here, we assessed current LSPs and ESs and developed optimization strategies for the Xigou watershed around Winter Olympic venues in the northern agro-pastoral ecotone of China. The results indicated that the main land use type was grassland in the Xigou watershed, and landscape types were relatively homogenous. All three ESs (water yield, sediment retention, and carbon storage) generally improved from 2004 to 2020. For ESs, there was the lowest total volume of water yield in 2004 (637.44 × 104 m3). But sediment retention (10.54 × 106 t, 18.13 × 106 t, 13.28 × 106 t, and 16.85 × 106 t) had an upward, then downward, then upward trend before and after ERP. Carbon storage grew steadily. Correlation analysis suggested that the three ESs were closely related to the landscape spatial indices of average patch area (AREA_MN), contagion index (CONTAG), and Shannon's evenness index (SHEI). AREA_MN, CONTAG, and SHEI in the eastern part of the study area promoted sediment retention and carbon storage, while in the southwestern part of the study area, they inhibited water yield and sediment retention. The results suggest that improving sediment retention by optimizing land use and cover change (LUCC) and LSPs is the main approach to further enhance ESs in the study area. Our study suggests that the inclusion of multiple landscape pattern indices can provide a more comprehensive representation of regional ecosystem service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion behavior of unaged and thermally aged Ni–25Cr–10Fe–3Si–xMo (x = 0, 3 wt%) alloys was studied beneath KCl–ZnCl2 deposits at 650°C. The results indicated that the addition of Mo promoted the formation of a continuous Si‐rich protective layer and improved the corrosion performance of the unaged Ni–25Cr–10Fe–3Si–xMo alloys. The precipitates formed after long‐term aging greatly affect the corrosion resistance of the thermally aged alloys. The M23C6 along the grain boundaries is beneficial to improve corrosion resistance, however, the dispersed Laves phase and Sigma deteriorate corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of Nb on the creep resistance and hot corrosion behavior of the Fe-25Cr-35Ni-2.5Al-xNb (x = 0, 0.6, 1.2) Alumina-Forming Austenitic stainless steels (AFA steels) at 700 °C were investigated. The addition of Nb promoted the precipitation of both nanoscale NbC and γ′-Ni3(Al, Nb) phases, which exhibited very low coarsening rate constants. The nanoscale NbC and γ′-Ni3(Al, Nb) phases effectively impeded the migration of dislocations and led to an improvement in creep performance of the Nb-addition AFA steel. The corrosion of AFA steels in Na2SO4-25%K2SO4 at 700 °C was primarily driven by an "oxidation-sulfidation" mechanism. The addition of Nb, serving as a third element, facilitated the formation of protective Cr2O3 and Al2O3 films, which improved the hot corrosion resistance performance. However, the formation Nb2O5 was found to compromise the compactness of the oxide film, which adversely affected the corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Instrumental data set have revealed several summer precipitation patterns in eastern China, being summarized as "tripole," "dipole" and "coast" modes. The former two have been found to persist at different time scales, leaving the latter unclear in geological records. Here we present 1300‐year hydroclimate records in a tropical maar lake in the southern coast of China using archeal lipid GDGTs, which can reflect lower water redox conditions largely regulated by lake water depth. The down‐core GDGTs reveal a relatively drier condition during the medieval climate anomaly compared to the Little Ice Age, in‐phase with other records in southeast coast of China but opposite to the inland region, hence demonstrating a persistent "coast" mode in eastern China. The thermal state of equatorial Pacific is suggested to play an important role in shaping the "coast" mode by modulating the location and strength of the western Pacific subtropical high and tropical typhoons. Plain Language Summary: Summer precipitations in eastern China affect more than 1 billion people's lives and economic development. It is well‐known that summer precipitations in eastern China show spatial differences. A seesaw pattern of summer precipitations between the southeast coast and the inland region of China, called "coast" mode, has been proposed from modern observations. However, whether this "coast" mode persists in the past remains unexplored. Here, we present a 1300‐year lake‐level record based on GDGTs, a suit of archeal lipids, in a coastal lake of southern China. The result shows a dry medieval climate anomaly and wet Little Ice Age. This result is consistent with other records in southeast coast of China, but in contrast with those in the inland region, thereby proving the persistent of the "coast" mode in the last millennium. The movement of western Pacific subtropical high and tropical typhoon associated with thermal state of the equatorial Pacific could result in this "coast" mode. Key Points: A 1300‐year lake level record based on archeal tetraether lipids in a maar lake on southern coast of ChinaA climate pattern of dry medieval climate anomaly and wet Little Ice Age exists in the southeast coast of ChinaThe thermal state of the equatorial Pacific shapes the coast mode of summer precipitations in eastern China during the last millennium [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has had a widespread and profound impact on global temperature and precipitation patterns, especially in semi-arid areas. Plant δ13C and iWUE indicate the trade-off between carbon uptake and water loss, which is pivotal for understanding plant responses to climate change. Information about the long-term responses of the physiological and ecological processes of different tree species to climate change is also required. To investigate the impact of different forest stand structures and site conditions on long-term growth and physiological processes of coniferous and broad-leaved trees in the mountainous area of Beijing, we analyzed the tree-ring δ13C variation of four tree species (Platycladus orientalis, Pinus tabuliformis, Quercus variabilis, Robinia pseudoacacia) sampled from 64 plots with varying site and stand conditions. We found that the tree-ring δ13C of the four tree species varied from each other and was mainly affected by density and slope aspect, followed by slope and age. Both tree-ring δ13C and iWUE of the four tree species showed increasing trends over time, mechanistically linked to long-term changes in global CO2 concentration. This indicates the four native tree species have adapted well to climate change, and the risk of decline is relatively low. The increased iWUE translated into different growth patterns which varied with tree species, site, and stand condition. Different tree species have varying sensitivities to environmental factors. The iWUE of coniferous tree species is more sensitive to climate change than that of broad-leaved tree species, especially to temperature (T), the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endosymbiotic dinoflagellates in the family Symbiodiniaceae are physiologically and ecologically important for reef-building corals. Certain symbiotic lineages may provide adaptive functions that aid corals in coping with and surviving rapid environmental and climate changes; and thus, there is a growing interest in exploring Symbiodiniaceae communities and their associated roles. Steroid biomarkers have been proposed as a means of identifying species-specific symbionts, but their reliability has yet to be examined through comparison of different coral species that harbor known Symbiodiniaceae. Here, steroid molecular and δ13C analyses are applied to four stony corals that host identified (Porites lobata and Galaxea fascicularis) or undescribed (Goniopora tenuidens and Goniastrea minuta) Symbiodiniaceae to address this issue. The 23-Me C28Δ5,22, 23,24-Me C29Δ5,22, and dinosterol are characteristic of P. lobata; while, C29Δ5, gorgosterol, and 4α-methylgorgostanol are diagnostic for G. fascicularis, tracking the marked differences in their Symbiodiniaceae assemblages. These two steroid groups also exhibit largely similar (− 20.6 to − 17.0‰) and visibly variable (− 24.1 to − 17.3‰) δ13C signatures, following the low and high diversity of symbionts in P. lobata and G. fascicularis, respectively. Our present results, together with previous reports, clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of steroid molecular and δ13C features in depicting Symbiodiniaceae population, providing a useful complement to Symbiodiniaceae genetic analysis. A further comparison of steroid characteristics between unclear and known Symbiodiniaceae in our four corals reveals the almost identical symbiotic population between G. minuta and G. fascicularis and a restricted range of symbiotic composition in G. tenuidens that is shared with G. fascicularis (and G. minuta). Additionally, the occurrence of 5α-stanols suggestive of anaerobic conversion on Δ5-sterols implies complex steroid interactions within coral–algae–microbe holobionts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elucidating the seasonal patterns of water sources for dominant species in the sub-tropical humid mountainous forest, analyzing the eco-hydrological complementarity and competition mechanisms among coexisting species, investigating the responses of plant water utilization to precipitation, could provide a theoretical basis for vegetation restoration and management. Based on the stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope technique, we analyzed the δ²H and δ18O characteristics of precipitation, xylem water from Pinus massoniana and Quercus variabilis, and soil water from 0-100 cm depth in Mount Lushan, China. The MixSIAR model, Levins index, and PS index were used to calculate the relative contribution rate of each water source, the hydrological niche breadth, and niche overlap of P. massoniana and Q. variabilis. The results showed that, in the wet season (March to July), P. massoniana primarily utilized soil water from the 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm depths, while Q. variabilis primarily utilized that from the 20-40 cm and 40-60 cm depths. During the dry season (August to September), P. massoniana and Q. variabilis utilized 40-60 cm and 60-80 cm of soil water, respectively, resulting in an increase in the depth of water absorption. In the early growing season ( March to April) and the late growing season ( September), there was a high hydrological niche overlap between P. massoniana and Q. variabilis, resulting in intensitive water competition. In the middle of the growing season ( May to August), the water source was adequately allocated, and the hydrological niche was segregated to meet the high transpiration demand. Q. variabilis primarily utilized soil water from a depth of 60-80 cm and 60-80 cm before a precipitation event, and from a depth of 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm after the event. In contrast, P. massoniana primarily utilized soil water from a depth of 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm both before and after a precipitation event. In conclusion, water utilization patterns of P. massoniana and Q. variabilis exhibited a seasonal trend, with shallow water uptake during the rainy season and deep water uptake during the dry season. These species are capable of efficiently allocating water resources during the peak growth season, and their root systems actively respond to change in soil moisture level. They have strong adaptability to extreme precipitation events and exhibit remarkable water conservation capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] To quantitatively study the relationship between land use change and ecosystem service value in Sichuan section of the upper reaches of the Yellow River in the past 20 years, and to evaluate the effect of comprehensive ecological management in this section, so as to provided a basis for improving ethnic regional spatial planning, ecological environmental protection and management, and promoted the high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. [Methods] Using the land use data of the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Sichuan in 2000, 2010 and 2020, land use change was analyzed based on land use dynamic attitude and land use matrix, and the economic value of the ecosystem service value equivalent per unit area of the terrestrial ecosystem in China was revised. The effects of land use change on the ecosystem service value in the upper reaches of the Yellow River from 2000 to 2020 in Sichuan were quantitatively studied. [Results] (1) From 2000 to 2020, the land use area of forest, desert, wetland and water system in the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Sichuan showed an increasing trend, while the land use area of cultivated land, shrub, grassland and glacial and snow in the upper reaches of the Yellow River showed a decreasing trend, and the land use change in 2010-2020 was more significant than that in 2000-2010. (2) The ecosystem service value of the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Sichuan in 2000, 2010 and 2020, was 1.27X1010, 2.51 X1010, 3.92X1010 yuan, respectively, showing an increasing trend. The sensitivity analysis showed that he analysis results were reliable. Among all land use types, grassland made the most significant contribution o total ecosystem value, and the contribution rate of grassland ecological service was 93.90% and 72.90% in 2000-2010 and 2010-2020, respectively, followed by wetland and forest land. (3) In the study area, the value of each individual ecosystem service showed an increasing trend in the past 20 years, and the sub-value of regional ecological service function was regulatory service > support service > supply service > cultural service. Among the 11 individual functions, the significant service value was climate regulation, hydrology regulation, soil conservation and biodiversity. The sum of the four items accounted for more than 69.50% of he total value. Land use change in the upper reaches of the Yellow River in Sichuan affected the changes of regional ecosystem service value, and grassland was the most significant, followed by wetland and forest and. [Conclusion] The results showed that the results of ecological governance in the past 20 years have been gradually enhanced, and the ecological environment has continuously improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to recover Ni from acid leaching solution of waste oil refining catalyst, HBL110 was used as extractant to extract nickel directly and selectively. The saponification rate of extractant, extractant concentration and extraction equilibrium time were optimized, the extraction and de extraction stages were confirmed, and the multi-stage countercurrent series extraction simulation test and the continuous running of the on-line process were carried out. The results show that under the conditions of saponification rate of 40%, HBL110 concentration of 25% and extraction time of 10 min, the mass concentration of nickel in the raffinate is less than 30 mg/L, the extraction efficiency of nickel is more than 98%, and the extraction rate of Al and Fe is less than 3%. The three stage countercurrent extraction of nickel supported organic phase with 75 g/L sulfuric acid can achieve 100% back extraction of nickel supported organic phase. The on-line extraction process of the acid leaching solution of the waste catalyst is run continuously for 5 days, the nickel concentration in the raffinate is stable at 5 mg/L, and the extraction efficiency of nickel can reach 99%. The concentration of nickel in the back extraction solution is stable at 8 g/L, and the back extraction rate of nickel is 100%. The organic phase can be effectively recycled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accurate estimation of potential evapotranspiration (PET) is the key for studying land-air interaction hydrological processes. Several models are used to estimate the PET based on standardized meteorological data. Although combination-based models have the highest level performance estimation of PET, they require more meteorological data and may therefore be difficult to apply in areas lacking meteorological observation data. Results: The results showed significant differences in the spatial trends of PET calculated by different models in China, the Doorenbots–Pruitts model revealed the highest PET (1902.6 mm), and the Kuzmin model revealed the lowest PET (349.6 mm), with the largest difference being 5.5 times. The Romanenko and the Rohwer models were the recommended temperature-based and aerodynamic-based models. On the other hand, the Abtew model was more suitable for arid and semi-arid regions, while the Priestley–Taylor model was more suitable for humid regions. Combination-based models revealed ideal calculation accuracies, among which the Penman–Monteith model was the best option for PET calculation. Conclusions: The accuracy range of Romanenko, Rohwer, Abten, Priestley Taylor, and Penman Monteith models improved in MPZ and TCZ is higher than that improved in TMZ and SMZ. This does not mean that the improved models have higher accuracy in MPZ and TCZ than in TMZ and SMZ. On the contrary, the original model performed poorly in MPZ and TCZ, so the improved accuracy was relatively large. The unimproved model was already more suitable in TMZ and SMZ, so the improved accuracy was relatively small. Therefore, regional calibration of the PET models can improve the accuracy and applicability of PET calculation, providing a reference for studying hydrological processes in different climatic zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As integrated circuits continue to shrink in size, the demand for high‐quality adhesive layers in copper Damascene interconnects has increased. However, tantalum (Ta) films, used as liners, prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) from metal halide precursors, are prone to corrosion and exhibit issues such as low film density and unstable performance. In this study, Ta films are successfully fabricated using a plasma‐enhanced ALD (PEALD) process with an organometallic precursor of Ta(NtBu)(NEt2)3 (TBTDET). The study of the growth conditions reveals that introducing 10% Ar in Ar‐H2 mixed gas leads to continuous high‐quality Ta films. The deposited Ta films are free of halogen impurities, which can avoid the detrimental impact on the stability of the Cu interconnects. Although the films contain some carbon and nitrogen impurities, they do not affect the film adhesive properties. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the Ta films are amorphous, and the amorphous Ta films exhibit superior barrier properties. Moreover, highly uniform Ta films can be conformally deposited into narrow interconnect structures using this PEALD process. These findings suggest that the Ta films prepared by the organometallic precursor can offer a promising solution to address the issues related to the halogen elements in the adhesive layer preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion, considered a major environmental and social problem, leads to the loss of soil nutrients and the degradation of soil structure and impacts plant growth. However, data on the effects of land use changes caused by vegetation restoration on soil nutrients and erodibility for different slope aspects are limited. This study was conducted to detect the response of soil nutrients and erodibility to slope aspect in a typical watershed in the northern agro-pastoral ecotone in China. The following indexes were used to determine the improvement in soil nutrients and erodibility through a weighted summation method: the comprehensive soil nutrient index and the comprehensive soil erodibility index. The results showed that the vegetation types with the highest comprehensive soil quality index (CSQI) values on western, northern, southern, and eastern slopes were Pinus sylvestris and Astragalus melilotoides (1.45), Caragana korshinskii and Capillipedium parviflorum (2.35), Astragalus melilotoides (4.78), and Caragana korshinskii and Lespedeza bicolor (5.00), respectively. Slope aspect had a significant effect on understory vegetation characteristics, soil nutrients, and soil erodibility. Understory vegetation and soil characteristics explained 50.86 %–74.56 % of the total variance in soil nutrients and the erodibility. Mean weight diameter and total phosphorus were the main factors that affected the CSQI for different slope aspects. Our study suggests that the combinations of species, such as C. korshinskii and L. bicolor, were the optimal selection to improve soil nutrients and soil erodibility for any slope aspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term pure forest (PF) management and successive planting has result resulted in "low-efficiency artificial forests" in large areas. However, controversy persists over the promoting effect of introduction of broadleaf tree species on production efficiency of PF. This study hypothesised that introduced broadleaf tree species can significantly promote both water-nutrient use efficiency and gross primary productivity (GPP)of PF. Tree ring chronologies, water source, water use efficiency and GPP were analysed in coniferous Cunninghamia lanceolata and broadleaved Phoebe zhennan growing over the past three decades. The introduction of P. zhennan into C. lanceolata plantations resulted in inter-specific competition for water, probably because of the similarity of the main water source of these two tree species. However, C. lanceolata absorbed more water with a higher nutrient level from the 40-60-cm soil layer in mixed forests (MF). Although the co-existing tree species limited the basal area increment and growth rates of C. lanceolata in MF plots, the acquisition of dissolved nutrients from the fertile topsoil layer were enhanced; this increased the water use efficiency and GPP of MF plots. To achieve better ecological benefits and GPP, MFs should be constructed in southern China., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)