Effects of precipitation and temperature on crop production variability in northeast Iran

Climate variability adversely impacts crop production and imposes a major constraint on farming planning, mostly under rainfed conditions, across the world. Considering the recent advances in climate science, many studies are trying to provide a reliable basis for climate, and subsequently agricultural production, forecasts. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation phenomenon (ENSO) is one of the principle sources of interannual climatic variability. In Iran, primarily in the northeast, rainfed cereal yield shows a high annual variability. This study investigated the role played by precipitation, temperature and three climate indices [Arctic Oscillation (AO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and NINO 3.4] in historically observed rainfed crop yields (1983–2005) of both barley and wheat in the northeast of Iran. The results revealed differences in the association between crop yield and climatic factors at different locations. The south of the study area is a very hot location, and the maximum temperature proved to be the limiting and determining factor for crop yields; temperature variability resulted in crop yield variability. For the north of the study area, NINO 3.4 exhibited a clear association trend with crop yields. In central locations, NAO provided a solid basis for the relationship between crop yields and climate factors.     

Litter mass loss rates in pine forests of Europe and Eastern United States: some relationships with climate and litter quality

The purpose of this study was to relate regional variation in litter mass-loss rates (first year) in pine forests to climate across a large, continental-scale area. The variation in mass-loss rate was analyzed using 39 experimental sites spanning climatic regions from the subarctic to subtropical and Mediterranean: the latitudinal gradient ranged from 31 °N to 70 °N and may represent the the largest geographical area that has ever been sampled and observed for the purpose of studying biogeochemical processes. Because of unified site design and uniform laboratory procedures, data from all sites were directly comparable and permitted a determination of the relative influence of climateversus substrate quality viewed from the perspective of broad regional scales. Simple correlation applied to the entire data set indicated that annual actual evapotranspiration (AET) should be the leading climatic constraint on mass-loss rates (R_adj ² = 0.496). The combination of AET, average July temp. and average annual temp. could explain about 70% of the sites' variability on litter mass-loss. In an analysis of 23 Scots pine sites north of the Alps and Carpatians AET alone could account for about 65% of the variation and the addition of a substrate-quality variable was sufficiently significant to be used in a model. The influence of litter quality was introduced into a model, using data from 11 sites at which litter of different quality had been incubated. These sites are found in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland. At any one site most ( ≫ 90%) of the variation in mass-loss rates could be explained by one of the litter-quality variables giving concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus or water solubles. However, even when these models included nitrogen or phosphorus even small changes in potential evapotranspiration resulted in large changes in early-phase decay rates. Further regional subdivision of the data set, resulted in a range of strength in the relationship between loss rate and climatic variables, from very weak in Central Europe to strong for the Scandinavian and Atlantic coast sites (R_adj ² = 0.912; AETversus litter mass loss). Much of the variation in observed loss rates could be related to continentalversus marine/Atlantic influences. Inland locations had mass-loss rates lower than should be expected on the basis of for example AET alone. Attempts to include seasonality variables were not successful. It is clear that either unknown errors and biases, or, unknown variables are causing these regional differences in response to climatic variables. Nevertheless these results show the powerful influence of climate as a control of the broad-scale geography of mass-loss rates and substrate quality at the stand level. Some of these relationships between mass-loss rate and climatic variables are among the highest ever reported, probably because of the care taken to select uniform sites and experimental methods. This suggest that superior, base line maps of predicted mass-loss rates could be produced using climatic data. These models should be useful to predict the changing equilibrium litter dynamics resulting from climatic change.     

Much Improved Irrigation Use Efficiency in an Intensive Wheat-Maize Double Cropping System in the North China Plain

Crop yield and water use efficiency （WUE） in a wheat-maize double cropping system are influenced by short and uneven rainfalls in the North China Plain （NCP）, A 2-year experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of irrigation on soil water balance, crop yield and WUE to improve irrigation use efficiency in the cropping system, Soil water depletion （~SWS） by crop generally decreased with the increase of irrigation and rainfall, while ASWS for the whole rotation was relatively stable among these irrigation treatments, High irrigations in wheat season increased initial soil moisture and ASWS for subsequent maize especially in the drought season, Initial soil water influenced mainly by the irrigation and rainfall in the previous crop season, is essential to high yield in such cropping systems, Grain yield decreased prior to evapotranspiraUon （ET） when ET reached about 300mm for wheat, while maize showed various WUEs with similar seasonal ET, For whole rotation, WUE declined when ET exceeded about 650 mm, These results indicate great potential for improving irrigation use efficiency in such wheat-maize cropping system in the NCP, Based on the present results, reasonable irrigation schedules according to different annual rainfall conditions are presented for such a cropping system.     

我国旱地春小麦产量及主要农艺指标的变异分析

采用4年、13个品种(系)、18个试点组成的全国旱地春小麦区域试验产量资料,通过联合方差分析和基因型及其与环境互作（GGE）双标图分析,研究了基因型、环境、基因型与环境互作效应（GEI）对产量变异的影响及品种的产量稳定性.结果表明：环境对产量变异的影响远大于基因型和GEI,环境引起的产量变异占87.5%～92.0%．互作因素中以地点×基因型的互作效应最大,基因型×年份的互作效应最小.我国旱地春小麦基因型多年多点的平均产量水平为2550 kg·hm^-2.产量三要素中,千粒重受环境的影响最小.影响产量变异的主要环境因子有：≥10 ℃年积温、生育期降雨量、平均气温、海拔、年降雨量和无霜期.产量与单位面积穗数（0.675^**）、穗粒数（0.581^**）、千粒重（0.456^**）呈极显著正相关,产量三要素间也呈正相关（0.244～0.480^**）,处于可同步提高范围.     

Much Improved Irrigation Use Efficiency in an Intensive Wheat-Maize Double Cropping System in the North China Plain

Crop yield and water use efficiency (WUE) in a wheat-maize double cropping system are influenced by short and uneven rainfalls in the North China Plain (NCP). A 2-year experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of irrigation on soil water balance, crop yield and WUE to improve irrigation use efficiency in the cropping system. Soil water depletion (△SWS)by crop generally decreased with the increase of irrigation and rainfall, while △SWS for the whole rotation was relatively stable among these irrigation treatments. High irrigations in wheat season increased initial soil moisture and △SWS for subsequent maize especially in the drought season. Initial soil water influenced mainly by the irrigation and rainfall in the previous crop season, is essential to high yield in such cropping systems. Grain yield decreased prior to evapotranspiration(ET) when ET reached about 300 mm for wheat, while maize showed various WUEs with similar seasonal ET. For whole rotation, WUE declined when ET exceeded about 650 mm. These results indicate great potential for improving irrigation use efficiency in such wheat-maize cropping system in the NCP. Based on the present results, reasonable irrigation schedules according to different annual rainfall conditions are presented for such a cropping system.     

Analysis of water- and nitrogen-use efficiency of wheat in a Mediterranean climate

Water-use efficiency (WUE [g grain yield m^–2 mm^–1 ET]) and nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE [ g grain yield g^–1 N_applied]) are important measures that can affect the productivity of crops in different environmental systems. However, measurement and interpretation of WUE and NUE in the field are often hampered by the high degree of complexity of these systems due to season-to-season variability in rainfall, the variation in crop responses to soil types and to agronomic management. To be able to guide agronomic practice, experimentally-derived measurements of WUE and NUE need to be extrapolated across time and space through appropriate modelling. To illustrate this approach, the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM), which has been rigorously tested for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a Mediterranean environment, was used to estimate and analyse the WUE and NUE of wheat crops in the Mediterranean-climatic region of the central Western Australian agricultural zone. The APSIM model was run for three locations (average annual rainfall of 461 mm [high rainfall zone], 386 mm [medium] and 310 mm [low]) and two soil types that had contrasting plant-available water-holding capacities in the rooting zone (sand: 55 mm, clay soil: 109 mm). Simulations were carried out with historical weather records (82–87 years) assuming current crop management and cultivars. The modelling analyses highlighted the inherently high degree of seasonal variability in yield, WUE and NUE of wheat, depending on soil type, N fertiliser input, rainfall amount and, in particular, rainfall distribution. The clay soil tended to be more productive in terms of grain yield, WUE and NUE in the high and medium rainfall zones, but less productive in most years in the low rainfall zone. The sandy soil was less productive in the high rainfall zone due to the high nitrate leaching potential of this soil type, but more productive than the clay in the low rainfall zone due to poorer pre-anthesis growth and less water use, less water loss by soil evaporation and relatively more water use in the post-anthesis phase. When a wheat crop was sown early on clay soil in the low rainfall zone, it yielded as high as in the other rainfall zones in seasons when rainfall was above average or there was a good store of water in the soil prior to sowing. The simulations confirmed findings from a limited number of field experiments and extended these findings both qualitatively and quantitatively across soil types, rainfall regions and crop management options. Furthermore, by using long-term historical weather records, the simulations extended the findings across the wide range of climatic scenarios experienced in mediterranean-climatic regions.     

Precipitation‐use efficiency along a 4500‐km grassland transect

Aims Clarifying the spatiotemporal variations in precipitation‐use efficiency (PUE), the ratio of vegetation above‐ground productivity to annual precipitation, will advance our understanding of how ecosystems' carbon and water cycles respond to climate change. Our goal is to investigate the variations in PUE at both regional and site scales along a 4500‐km climate‐related grassland transect. Location The Inner Mongolian Plateau in northern China and the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. Methods We collected data on 580 sites from four data sources. The data were acquired through field surveys and long‐term in situ observations. We investigated the relationships between precipitation and PUE at both regional and site scales, and we evaluated the effects of the main biotic and climatic factors on PUE at both spatial scales. Results PUE decreased with decreasing mean annual precipitation (MAP), except for a slight rise toward the dry end of the gradient. The maximum PUE showed large site‐to‐site variation along the transect. Vegetation cover significantly affected the spatial variations in PUE, and this probably accounts for the positive relationship between PUE and MAP. However, there was no significant relationship between inter‐annual variations in precipitation or vegetation cover and PUE within given ecosystems along the transect. Conclusions The findings of this research contradict the prevailing view that a convergent maximum PUE exists among diverse ecosystems, as presented in previous reports. Our findings also suggest the action of distinct mechanisms in controlling PUE at different spatial scales. We propose the use of a conceptual model for predicting vegetation productivity at continental and global scales with a sigmoid function, which illustrates an increasing PUE with MAP in arid regions. Our approach may represent an improvement over use of the popular Miami model.     

中国西北部草地植被降水利用效率的时空格局

植被降水利用效率(PUE)是评价干旱、半干旱地区植被生产力对降水量时空动态响应特征的重要指标。利用光能利用率CASA(Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach)模型估算了2001—2010年中国西北七省草地植被净初级生产力(NPP),结合降水量的空间插值数据,分析了近十年草地植被PUE的空间分布、主要植被类型的PUE,及其时空格局的驱动因素。结果表明:(1)2001—2010年西北七省草地植被的平均PUE为0.68 g C m~(-2)mm~(-1)。在温带草地各类型中,PUE的大小顺序为草甸草原灌丛典型草原荒漠草原荒漠,各类型草地PUE之间差异显著;对于高寒草地而言,高寒草原的PUE显著高于高寒草甸;(2)温带草地PUE的空间分布与年降水量的关系呈抛物线形状(R~2=0.65,P0.001),PUE峰值出现在年降水量P=472.9 mm的地区;荒漠地区植被PUE的空间分布与年降水量的关系同样呈抛物线形状(R~2=0.63,P0.001),PUE峰值出现在年降水量P=263.2mm的地区;对于高寒草地而言,年降水量100 mm以下地区植被PUE变异较大,年降水量大于100 mm的地区植被PUE的空间分布随降水量的变化呈抛物线形状(R~2=0.47,P0.001),PUE峰值出现在P=559.2 mm的地区;(3)不同降水量区域,植被PUE的年际波动与气候因子的关系也有较大差别。在年降水量为200—1000 mm的地区,草地PUE的年际波动与年降水量的变化呈正相关;在年降水量高于1050 mm的地区,草地PUE的年际波动与年均温的相关性较强,相关系数最高可达到0.4。     

Recent biometeorological applications to crops

The paper demonstrates how standard climatological data can effectively be exploited by making use of biometeorological knowledge and modern data processing facilities in studies concerned with the evaluation of crop-weather relationships and the analysis of climatic resources. In analyzing potential biological yield of wheat at Normandin (Quebec), it was found that the potential yield was reduced by approximately 45% because of variations in temperature and radiation whereas the actual yield was reduced by 70%. In mesoscale analyses, the error between soil moisture observations and estimates from a climatological soil moisture budget was in the same order as the standard deviation of 3-times replicated 38 soil moisture samples taken over five years at Swift Current (Sask.). An analysis of crop-weather relationships at Lacombe (Alta.) indicated that the 1957 wheat yield was reduced from the potential 3,300 kg/ha to 2,004 kg/ha or by 40% because of a severe cold spell during the soft dough developing stage resulting in improper filling of the kernels. In macroscale analyses, relative winter hardiness indices for woody ornamental plants together with site suitability indices for winter survival were used in the development of a map of plant hardiness zones in Canada. In the application of this research to forage crops average winter survival percentage of legumes and grasses by classes of hardiness together with selected regional climatic averages were developed for six regions of southern Canada. Long-term research into the relationships between Canadian Prairie crop yields and development (wheat, oats and barley) and selected climatic and soil variables has been used successfully for estimating regional crop production, for determining climatic limitations of the area suitable for the cultivation of these crops, and for assessing the impact of postulated climatic changes on crop production.Contribution No 862 of the Chemistry and Biology Research Institute.     

内蒙古植被降水利用效率的时空格局及其驱动因素

植被降水利用效率(precipitation-use efficiency, PUE)是评价干旱、半干旱地区植被生产力对降水量时空动态响应特征的重要指标。该研究利用光能利用率CASA (Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach)模型估算了2001-2010年内蒙古地区植被净初级生产力(net primary productivity, NPP), 结合降水量的空间插值数据, 分析了近10年内蒙古地区植被PUE的空间分布、主要植被类型的PUE,及其时空格局的驱动因素。结果表明: 2001-2010年内蒙古地区所有植被的平均PUE为0.94 g C·m^-2·mm^-1, 且在105-120° E地带性规律明显,PUE上升速率为每10° 0.55 g C·m^-2·mm^-1。各植被类型间PUE差别较大, 其中灌丛PUE最高, 荒漠PUE最低。在不同的降水量区域, 植被PUE的空间分布与气候因子的关系有较大差别, 0-75 mm降水量区间内, PUE随降水量、气温的升高显著下降(R² = 0.226, p < 0.05); 175-300 mm降水量区间内, 植被 PUE的空间变化与降水量和气温呈极显著相关关系(R² = 0.878, p < 0.001), 且随降水量的增加显著上升( R² = 0.94, p < 0.001), 变化速率约为每100 mm降水0.57 g C·m ^-2·mm^-1; 在降水量大于475 mm的区域, 植被PUE的空间分布与降水量、气温的相关性显著(R² = 0.19, p < 0.05), 且随着气温的上升、降水量的下降而增加, 其中气温的贡献是降水量的8.61倍。在不同的降水量区域, 植被 PUE的年际波动与气候因子的关系也有较大差别, 对于年降水量0-220 mm的地区, PUE的年际波动与降水量呈正相关性、与气温呈负相关性; 在年降水量为220-310 mm的地区, PUE的年际波动主要受降水量的控制, 受气温影响较小; 在年降水量>310 mm的地区,PUE的年际波动与降水量、气温均呈正相关关系, 但在降水量越高的地区, PUE的年际波动与降水量的相关性越弱, 与气温的相关性越强。植被覆盖度与PUE的空间分布极显著相关(R² = 0.73, p < 0.001), 且与 PUE的年际波动也存在线性相关关系(R² = 0.11, p < 0.001); 叶面积指数( LAI)与PUE的年际波动呈线性相关关系(R² = 0.42, p < 0.001), 而当 LAI < 3.15时, PUE的空间分布随LAI增加而呈线性增加。     

Global patterns in fruiting seasons

Aim   To identify geographical and climatic correlates of the timing of fruit production in fleshy fruited plant communities.
Location   Global.
Methods   We searched the literature for studies documenting monthly variation in the number of fleshy fruited species bearing ripe fruits in plant communities (i.e. fruit phenologies). From these data, we used circular vector algebra to characterize seasonal peaks in fruit production (mean date, as an angle) and the length of fruiting seasons (as a circular standard deviation). Generalized linear models and circular correlations were used to assess whether latitudinal patterns in fruit phenologies could be explained by variation in temperature, precipitation and actual evapotranspiration (AET).
Results   Dates of peak fruit production and the length of fruiting seasons showed consistent differences with latitude. Annual peaks in fruit production occurred 1 to 3 months after the summer solstice at high-latitude sites in both hemispheres. Fruiting seasonality increased with latitude, indicating that fruiting seasons were longer in the tropics and shorter toward the poles. AET was the best climatic predictor of fruit phenologies. Annual peaks in fruit production were positively associated with annual peaks in AET and temperature, while fruiting seasons were shorter in areas with pronounced annual variation in AET.
Main conclusions   Global patterns in fruiting seasons are associated with global variation in climate. Across the globe, fleshy fruits are produced after annual periods of elevated water–energy availability. Fruiting seasonality is also more pronounced in areas with strongly seasonal water–energy inputs. Therefore, the timing of reproduction in fleshy fruited plant communities appears to be determined, at least in part, by spatial and temporal variation in energy supplies needed to subsidise plant reproduction.     

Contributions of climatic and crop varietal changes to crop production in the North China Plain,since 1980s

The North China Plain (NCP) is the most important agricultural production area in China. Crop production in the NCP is sensitive to changes in both climate and management practices. While previous studies showed a negative impact of climatic change on crop yield since 1980s, the confounding effects of climatic and agronomic factors have not been separately investigated. This paper used 25 years of crop data from three locations (Nanyang, Zhengzhou and Luancheng) across the NCP, together with daily weather data and crop modeling, to analyse the contribution of changes in climatic and agronomic factors to changes in grain yields of wheat and maize. The results showed that the changes in climate were not uniform across the NCP and during different crop growth stages. Warming mainly occurred during the vegetative (preflowering) growth stage of wheat and maize, while there was a cooling trend or no significant change in temperatures during the postflowering stage of wheat (spring) or maize (autumn). If varietal effects were excluded, warming during vegetative stages would lead to a reduction in the length of the growing period for both crops, generally leading to a negative impact on crop production. However, autonomous adoption of new crop varieties in the NCP was able to compensate the negative impact of climatic change. For both wheat and maize, the varietal changes helped stabilize the length of preflowering period against the shortening effect of warming and, together with the slightly reduced temperature in the postflowering period, extend the length of the grain‐filling period. The combined effect led to increased wheat yield at Zhengzhou and Luancheng; increased maize yield at Nanyang and Luancheng; stabilized wheat yield at Nanyang, and a slight reduction in maize yield at Zhengzhou, compared with the yield change caused entirely by climatic change.     

Patterns and controls of the variability of radiation use efficiency and primary productivity across terrestrial ecosystems

Aim The controls of gross radiation use efficiency (RUE), the ratio between gross primary productivity (GPP) and the radiation intercepted by terrestrial vegetation, and its spatial and temporal variation are not yet fully understood. Our objectives were to analyse and synthesize the spatial variability of GPP and the spatial and temporal variability of RUE and its climatic controls for a wide range of vegetation types. Location A global range of sites from tundra to rain forest. Methods We analysed a global dataset on photosynthetic uptake and climatic variables from 35 eddy covariance (EC) flux sites spanning between 100 and 2200 mm mean annual rainfall and between ?13 and 26°C mean annual temperature. RUE was calculated from the data provided by EC flux sites and remote sensing (MODIS). Results Rainfall and actual evapotranspiration (AET) positively influenced the spatial variation of annual GPP, whereas temperature only influenced the GPP of forests. Annual and maximum RUE were also positively controlled primarily by annual rainfall. The main control parameters of the growth season variation of gross RUE varied for each ecosystem type. Overall, the ratio between actual and potential evapotranspiration and a surrogate for the energy balance explained a greater proportion of the seasonal variation of RUE than the vapour pressure deficit (VPD), AET and precipitation. Temperature was important for determining the intra‐annual variability of the RUE at the coldest energy‐limited sites. Main conclusions Our analysis supports the idea that the annual functioning of vegetation that is adapted to its local environment is more constrained by water availability than by temperature. The spatial variability of annual and maximum RUE can be largely explained by annual precipitation, more than by vegetation type. The intra‐annual variation of RUE was mainly linked to the energy balance and water availability along the climatic gradient. Furthermore, we showed that intra‐annual variation of gross RUE is only weakly influenced by VPD and temperature, contrary to what is frequently assumed. Our results provide a better understanding of the spatial and temporal controls of the RUE and thus could lead to a better estimation of ecosystem carbon fixation and better modelling.     

Can wheat yield be assessed by early measurements of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index?

An early prediction of crop biomass at maturity and yield is important in different circumstances. The use of spectral reflectance indices, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), has been proposed as a fast, nondestructive way of estimating crop growth capacity. In this study, we examined whether NDVI assessment relatively early in the crop cycle may be useful for predicting final biomass and yield in wheat. To that end, NDVI was measured and biomass quantified regularly from tillering to maturity for six different wheat genotypes grown under a contrasting range of N and water availabilities. In addition, final biomass and yield were measured at maturity. In line with expectations from the literature, we found that NDVI at milk-grain stage was well correlated to final yield and biomass. However, it was also observed that NDVI at the onset of stem elongation was also reasonably correlated to both attributes. Because crop growth in wheat from the end of tillering to anthesis is related to the determination of grain number and yield, we propose the use of NDVI at the onset of stem elongation as a complementary criterion for establishing the required late crop management (N fertilisation, irrigation) practices.     

Response of Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Quality Traits and Yield to Sowing Date

The unpredictability and large fluctuation of the climatic conditions in rainfed regions do affect spring wheat yield and grain quality. These variations offer the opportunity for the production of better quality wheat. The effect of variable years, locations and sowing managements on wheat grain yield and quality was studied through field experiments using three genotypes, three locations for two years under rainfed conditions. The two studied years as contrasting years at three locations and sowing dates depicted variability in temperature and water stress during grain filling which resulted considerable change in grain yield and quality. Delayed sowing, years (2009–10) and location (Talagang) with high temperature and water stress resulted increased proline, and grain quality traits i.e. grain protein (GP) and grain ash (GA) than optimum conditions (during 2008–09, at Islamabad and early sowing). However, opposite trend was observed for dry gluten (DG), sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), SPAD content and grain yield irrespective of genotypes. The influence of variable climatic conditions was dominant in determining the quality traits and inverse relationship was observed among some quality traits and grain yield. It may be concluded that by selecting suitable locations and different sowing managements for subjecting the crop to desirable environmental conditions (temperature and water) quality traits of wheat crop could be modified.     

不同降水年型下长期施肥旱地小麦产量效应

以黄土高原30年长期肥料定位试验为基础,依据降水将生育年划分为干旱年、平水年和丰水年,研究不同施肥方式对黄土高原冬小麦产量、肥料贡献率和降水利用率的影响.结果表明: 小麦连续种植30年中,氮磷配施和氮磷钾配施下小麦产量、肥料贡献率和降水利用率显著高于不施肥和单施肥处理,氮磷钾配施下小麦产量、肥料贡献率和降水利用率分别达到3480 kg·hm^-2、61.45 kg·kg^-1、6.13 kg·mm^-1·hm^-2;不同降水年型下,丰水年小麦产量、肥料贡献率和降水利用率相对较高;使用逐步回归分析可知,不同降水年型下小麦产量主要受氮磷肥施用量、休闲期降水和越冬期降水影响.黄土旱塬可以通过提高氮磷用量同时适当施用钾肥,以及在休闲期做好蓄水保墒工作来提高小麦产量.     

黑河流域植被水分利用效率时空分异及其对降水和气温的响应

植被水分利用效率(WUE)是衡量植被生态系统碳水耦合关系的重要指标,研究其时空分异特征对区域水资源合理利用及配置有重要意义。基于改进的光能利用率模型CASA,模拟估算了黑河流域2000—2013年植被净初级生产力(NPP),结合ETWatch模型估算的黑河流域2000—2013年蒸散数据ET,进一步估算了黑河流域植被水分利用效率WUE。分析了黑河流域NPP、ET和WUE空间格局和时间变化特征,探讨了WUE变化对降水和气温的相关性。结果表明:1)黑河流域空间上植被NPP在2000—2013年多年平均值为81.05 gC m~(-2) a~(-1),ET平均值为133.38 mm,植被WUE平均值为0.448 gC mm~(-1) m~(-2)。植被NPP、ET与WUE的空间格局基本上类似,均呈现出自上游至下游逐渐减少的分布格局。2)黑河流域2000—2013年间植被平均NPP与平均WUE均呈现显著上升趋势(P0.05),而ET平均值变化不显著。WUE年际变化斜率与其平均值在空间分布上存在一定的对应关系,空间上植被WUE的高值区同时是其呈增长趋势的主要区域,植被WUE平均值较低的区域其年际变化也趋于稳定。3)不同植被类型的WUE差异较为显著,植被自身受环境影响形成的生理生态参数是其WUE差异的主要原因,不同植被类型WUE平均值关系为:灌丛草地森林农田沼泽荒漠。中游绿洲区栽培植被平均WUE仅为0.90 gC mm~(-1) m~(-2),因此应当重视提高其对水资源的利用效率。4)整体上黑河流域植被WUE年际变化主要受降水的影响,植被WUE与降水呈负相关的区域主要分布在中游绿洲灌溉区,表明人为活动干扰会削弱气候因素对植被WUE的影响。     

Long-Term Monitoring of Rainfed Wheat Yield and Soil Water at the Loess Plateau Reveals Low Water Use Efficiency

Increasing crop yield and water use efficiency (WUE) in dryland farming requires a quantitative understanding of relationships between crop yield and the water balance over many years. Here, we report on a long-term dryland monitoring site at the Loess Plateau, Shanxi, China, where winter wheat was grown for 30 consecutive years and soil water content (0–200 cm) was measured every 10 days. The monitoring data were used to calibrate the AquaCrop model and then to analyse the components of the water balance. There was a strong positive relationship between total available water and mean cereal yield. However, only one-third of the available water was actually used by the winter wheat for crop transpiration. The remaining two-thirds were lost by soil evaporation, of which 40 and 60% was lost during the growing and fallow seasons, respectively. Wheat yields ranged from 0.6 to 3.9 ton/ha and WUE from 0.3 to 0.9 kg/m³. Results of model experiments suggest that minimizing soil evaporation via straw mulch or plastic film covers could potentially double wheat yields and WUE. We conclude that the relatively low wheat yields and low WUE were mainly related to (i) limited rainfall, (ii) low soil water storage during fallow season due to large soil evaporation, and (iii) poor synchronisation of the wheat growing season to the rain season. The model experiments suggest significant potential for increased yields and WUE.     

Energy, range dynamics and global species richness patterns: reconciling mid-domain effects and environmental determinants of avian diversity

Spatial patterns of species richness follow climatic and environmental variation, but could reflect random dynamics of species ranges (the mid-domain effect, MDE). Using data on the global distribution of birds, we compared predictions based on energy availability (actual evapotranspiration, AET, the best single correlate of avian richness) with those of range dynamics models. MDE operating within the global terrestrial area provides a poor prediction of richness variation, but if it operates separately within traditional biogeographic realms, it explains more global variation in richness than AET. The best predictions, however, are given by a model of global range dynamics modulated by AET, such that the probability of a range spreading into an area is proportional to its AET. This model also accurately predicts the latitudinal variation in species richness and variation of species richness both within and between realms, thus representing a compelling mechanism for the major trends in global biodiversity.