Yan Huimin

Overview of Ecological Restoration Technologies and Evaluation Systems

Abstract: Ecological degradation is a global problem, and ecological restoration technologies have played and will continue to play an important role in its mitigation. However, the lack of systematic research and evaluations of ecological technologies has thus far affected their effective application in vulnerable ecological regions. This study therefore provides an overview of the main technologies for remediating soil and water erosion, desertification, and rock desertification in China and throughout the world. It addresses key issues and recommends approaches for evaluating ecological restoration technologies. Restoration technology emerged as early as 1800. Over the years such technology has changed from single objective applications to multi-purpose, multi-objective applications employing strategies that take into account ecosystem rehabilitation and integrated ecological and socioeconomic development. Along with this technological evolution, different countries have taken pertinent actions as part of their restoration initiatives. However, key issues remain, including the lack of location-specific restoration technologies and a methodological strategy to assess and prioritize existing technologies. This study proposes a four-level analytical hierarchical framework in conjunction with an indicator system that highlights the establishment and adaptation of associative indicators, while also recommending a three-phase evaluation method (TheMert), targeting TheMert to qualitative (quick and extensive) and quantitative (detailed) evaluations in order to select the most appropriate restoration technologies available. This study can also be used as a basis for understanding the evaluation and prioritization of restoration technologies, while increasing the awareness of decision makers and the public on the role of technology in restoring degraded ecosystems.

Evaluation Methods and Research Trends for Ecological Carrying Capacity

Abstract: With the intensive research into global coupling relationships, ecological carrying capacity (ECC), seen as the crucial link between natural ecosystems and human systems, has gradually become an important tool for interdisciplinary research in ecology, resources science and environmental science, as well as for research on regional sustainable development. However, ECC research remains immature and lacks a complete theoretical system, as a result of many limiting factors and different space-time conditions. At present, Chinese and foreign studies focus on methods to evaluate ECC while neglecting to identify the internal driving mechanisms of ECC. In this article, based on the development and conceptualization of ECC, we introduce three evaluation methods for ECC: ecological footprint (EF), human appropriation of net primary production (HANPP) and ecosystem services consumption (ESC). Furthermore, we illuminate research focuses and developmental directions for ECC with respect to driving mechanisms, threshold, comprehensive evaluation systems and coupling dynamic model of multi ecological factors, in order to provide a reference for future ECC research.

Research Methods of Water Resources Carrying Capacity: Progress and Prospects

Abstract: The study of water resources carrying capacity (WRCC), a major component of resources and environment carrying capacity (RECC), began relatively recently. However, WRCC has witnessed a rapid development in terms of concept, calculation methods, and empirical research in recent years. WRCC has become an important criterion for rational development and utilization of regional water resources. This paper first briefly reviews the development process of WRCC. It then evaluates and contrasts the representative research methods of conventional trend (CT), system dynamics (SD), multi-objective model analysis (MOMA), comprehensive evaluation (CE), and dynamic simulation recursive (DSR). The results show that although there are various methods of WRCC, the major methods used have become out-of-date and stagnant, and new more sophisticated methods and technologies are lacking. Specifically, our analysis found that the index system, scientific robustness and comprehensiveness of evaluation criteria of current research methods are insufficient and need to be improved. In addition, the dynamic research of WRCC should receive more attention, and it requires further study to make it more applicable to real-world uses. Finally, a set of monitoring and early warning systems should be established and applied in demonstration areas to meet the urgent needs of water resource management in the new era.

The Progress of Resources and Environment Carrying Capacity: from Single-factor Carrying Capacity Research to Comprehensive Research

Abstract: As a concept to describe development restrictions, resources and environment carrying capacity (RECC) research has developed over more than 100 years since it was first proposed at the beginning of the 20th century. It is now regarded as a significant factor in evaluating the level of cooperation between regional population, resources, and environment; and it is currently used as an effective and operational tool to guide regional sustainable development. This article first reviews the origin of RECC and its early headway. It then reviews the historical development of RECC from single factors, such as land resources carrying capacity, water resources carrying capacity and environmental carrying capacity (environmental capacity), to more comprehensive research, such as comprehensive evaluation, emergy analysis, and ecological footprint analysis. In general, it appears that comprehensive research will become increasingly important in RECC research. However, there are several deficiencies in the current state of comprehensive research. Firstly, comprehensive RECC research lacks a common measurement standard, though some scholars have attempted to create one. Secondly, the RECC evaluation of open systems and dynamic studies should be strengthened. Thirdly, more attention should be paid to standardization, digitalization, and systematization to promote the applicability of RECC research to national practical demands.

Forage-livestock status in farms and ranches of ecological grass-animal husbandry construction and allocation model of grain-warp-feed in Hulunbuir Agricultural Reclamation Group

In order to increase of husbandry production and to have a sustainable development of pastures, it is important to accelerate the construction of ecological grass-animal husbandry, to promote the grassland ecological carrying capacity and to reach the equilibrium in the grassland-livestock balance. We chose twenty-four farms and ranches in Hulunbuir Agricultural Reclamation Group as study area, satellite imagery from 500-m MODIS, 30-m Landsat, and 4-m GF-2 are used together with annual report data of farms and ranches. We mapped the spatial distribution and the status of degradation of grassland and we computed the net primary productivity (NPP) of farms and ranches in Hulunbuir Agricultural Reclamation Group, using remote sensing images as input data in a Vegetation Photosynthesis Model (VPM). We then analyzed the carrying capacity of grassland and its over-grazing degree and proposed the construction of artificial grassland mode of ecological grass-animal husbandry in farms and ranches. We found that about 66.16% of natural grassland has been subject to serious degradation in different degrees in the twenty-four farms and ranches, mainly manifested in the decline of grassland vegetation productivity and coverage. The grassland fragmentation area was about 1.55% of the total grassland area. Based on remote sensing the result that annual average grassland yield was about 34.07×104 t, ranging from 27.43×104 t in 2001 to 48.89×104 t in 2013 of farms and ranches in Hulunbuir Agricultural Reclamation Group. The actual grazing capacity was 164.19×104 sheep units while the theoretical grazing capacity was only 86.83×104 sheep units in Hulunbuir Agricultural Reclamation Group in 2015. The forage gap was 42.35×104 t and overload rate reached 89% without the consideration of the silage grass and purchased forage. The cultivated land area is 3.95×103 km2 in Hulunbuir Agricultural Reclamation Group. Converting 10% of the cultivated land area into artificial grassland could provide grass yield amounting to 5.86×103 km2 of the natural grassland, which would meet with the forage demand of livestock in Hulunbuir Agricultural Reclamation Group. The implementation of the Grain-Warp-Feed and the Grass-Crop rotation production mode, and the establishment of artificial grassland on cultivated land can improve the grassland quality, grassland-livestock balance, and reduce grassland degradation, which is critical to promoting the ability of the sustainable development of husbandry and ecological protection in pastures. As a measure of agricultural supply side reform, the strategy of transforming grain into forage aims to achieve effective allocation of resources.

Net Primary Productivity Increased on the Loess Plateau Following Implementation of the Grain to Green Program

Abstract: The spatio-temporal characteristics of net primary productivity (NPP) since implementation of the Grain to Green Program (GTGP) are important for understanding ecological restoration of the Loess Plateau in China. Here, we conduct spatio-temporal analysis of NPP using MODIS datasets (500 m, 8-day intervals) and VPM (Vegetation Photosynthesis Model) from 2000–2015. We found that NPP on the Loess Plateau increased significantly from 2000 to 2015 (p<0.05). Significant increases in NPP were observed in core areas of the GTGP, including northern Shaanxi and Lüliang Mountain in Shanxi. NPP in alluvial plains decreased due to urban expansion into cropland. Significant increases in NPP from 2006–2010 were located north of the area of change in 2000–2005. NPP increased across three vegetation types and four slope gradients. In hilly-gully regions prone to soil erosion, such as central and southeastern parts of the Loess Plateau, obvious vegetation restoration was detected.

Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Vegetation Change in Kazakhstan from 1982 to 2015

Abstract: The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), as a key indicator of vegetation growth, effectively provides information regarding vegetation growth status. Based on the Global Inventory Monitoring and Modeling System (GIMMS) NDVI time series data for Kazakhstan from 1982 to 2015, we analyzed the spatial pattern and changes in the vegetation growth trend. Results indicated that the three main types of vegetation in Kazakhstan are cropland, grassland and shrubland, and these are distributed from north to south. While the regional distribution pattern is obvious, the vegetation index decreased from north to south. The average NDVI values of the three main vegetation types are in the order of cropland > grassland > shrubland. During the period from 1982 to 2015, the NDVI initially increased (1982–1992), then decreased (1993–2007), and then increased again (2008–2015). The areas where NDVI decreased significantly accounted for 24.0% of the total land area. These areas with vegetation degradation are mainly distributed in the northwest junction between cropland and grassland, and in the cropland along the southern border. The proportions of total grassland, cropland and shrubland areas that were degraded are 23.5%, 48.4% and 13.7%, respectively. Areas with improved vegetation, accounting for 11.8% of the total land area, were mainly distributed in the mid-east cropland area, and the junction between cropland and grassland in the mid-east region.

Strategic transformation of regionalization for the agricultural comprehensive development: The example of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in China

Strategic transformation of regionalization for agricultural comprehensive development (ACD) was presented by the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China (MOF) in 2014. The regionalization is the premise and basis of the sustainable development and improved competitiveness for agriculture. Based on the environmental resources related to agriculture, such as cropland, climate, water resources, terrain, geomorphology, patterns of the ACD projects, distribution of ecological planning, etc., we devised 13 indices using the geographic comprehensive regionalization method. The indices took into account a combination of dynamic and static, qualitative and quantitative, as well as agricultural and ecological factors. The strategic transformation of regionalization for the ACD in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China was performed; seven types were included: prioritized regions, prioritized and restricted regions, protected regions, protected and restricted regions, restricted and prioritized regions, restricted and protected regions, and restricted regions. A further 24 subtypes were used based on locations and ecological zones. The regionalization results showed that prioritized regions were mainly in northern Ningxia, the most suitable area for agriculture. The protected and restricted regions were in central and southern Ningxia. In the central part, drought was the limiting factor for agriculture, and water conservation projects there should be supported. The ecological environment is fragile in southern Ningxia, so there is a need for ecologically sound agriculture to be developed in this region. Such regionalization could achieve two goals, namely agricultural conservation and eco-environmental protection. It was performed following the requirement for scientific regionalization to include three types of regions (prioritized regions, protected regions, and restricted regions), and was applied at the township scale in a provincial or autonomous region for the first time. The results provide both guidance for the strategic transformation of the ACD in Ningxia, and a reference for similar work in other provinces.

Can we selectively shut off immune responses

Immune system is essential for our survival and healthy for it being able to exert diverse functions including innate immunity and adaptive immune responses. While our immune system has architecture of precise regulation and fine-tuned functionality, their loss of regulations or balances will lead to serious consequences including transplant rejection, autoimmune disease, allergy and cancer. Therefore, the key for effective therapies is how we are able to selectively shut off specific immune response.

Cropland Dynamics and their Influence on the Productivity in Northern Shaanxi, China, for the Past 20 Years: Based on Remotely Sensed Data

Abstract: In this paper, we mainly focused our research on northern Shaanxi district, which is a pilot area of the Grain for Green Project. We compared the spatial distribution patterns of croplands and their productivity for the past 20 years (from the end of the 1980s to 2010). Cropland dynamics for the past 20 years were Interpreted from medium- and high-resolutlon remote sensing images (Landsat TM/ETM+). In addition, using the GLO-PEM and AGRO-VPM models with a medium resolution and long time series remote sensing dataset (AVHRR/MODIS), net primary productivity (NPP) and its relationship with cropland were estimated. Finally, the effect of cropland change on productivity was analyzed. The results show that during the first decade of the research period, cropland area and productivity in northern Shaanxi experienced a small boost, while in the latter decade, both cropland area and NPP were significantly reduced. The main cause of the increase in cropland was the reclamation of large area of grassland and unutilized land to meet the food demands of the local population as well as to compensate for the occupation of urban constructions. While the main cause of the decrease in cropland was the implementation of the Grain for Green Project. In addition, urbanization was also a key factor. Overall, during the past 20 years, the total area of cropland in northern Shaanxi decreased by 42.56%, and cropland NPP dropped by 41.90%. This study is of great importance for the assessment of regional cropland security, food security and scientific planning of regional land use.