Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Tonghua Wu, Changwei Xie, Xiaofan Zhu, Jie Chen, Wu Wang, Ren Li, Amin Wen, Dong Wang, Peiqing Lou, Chengpeng Shang, Yune La, Xianhua Wei, Xin Ma, Yongping Qiao, Xiaodong Wu, Qiangqiang Pang, Guojie Hu
Summary: Relict permafrost is an ideal site to study the impacts of climate warming on ground thermal regimes, with long-term observations of meteorological and soil data at the Mahan Mountain site providing valuable insights. The high-quality datasets from this study can serve as accurate forcing data in land surface models and contribute to validating remote-sensing products for the geoscientific community.
EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE DATA
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Guojie Hu, Lin Zhao, Ren Li, Xiaodong Wu, Tonghua Wu, Defu Zou, Xiaofan Zhu, Chen Jie, Youqi Su, Junming Hao, Wangping Li
Summary: The seasonal dynamics of the freeze-thaw front during the freezing and thawing period strongly affect the hydrothermal processes in permafrost regions. This study analyzed the freeze-thaw front dynamics using field observation data in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Changes in the freeze-thaw front were characterized by three distinct stages: the downward migration of the thaw front, zero curtain process at the bottom of the active layer, and the bidirectional freezing period. The findings provide insights into the hydrothermal characteristics of the active layers in permafrost regions and can improve future permafrost simulation models.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Congrong Yu, Ying Li, Huijun Jin, Qiang Ma, Zhongbo Yu, Keliang Shi, Xiangying Li, Gang Chen
Summary: In a warming climate, carbon mobilization from land to water is increasing in glacier and permafrost areas. A study in the high-altitude mountain area of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau found that while DIC and DOC concentrations were lower in glacial rivers, more DOC was exported from glaciers due to the large amount of melted water. The DIC/DOC ratio in rivers reflected watershed landscape types and increased DIC concentration could be a precursor of permafrost degradation.
AQUATIC GEOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Yanhui You, Lei Guo, Qihao Yu, Xinbin Wang, Xicai Pan, Qingbai Wu, Dayan Wang, Genxu Wang
Summary: Based on borehole-temperature data, this study analyzed the temporal and spatial characteristics of active layer thickness and permafrost temperature in different regions on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The results showed distinct variations in active layer thickness and permafrost temperature in these regions. Snow cover duration had a significant impact on the northern permafrost regions, while freezing index was the dominant factor in the southern regions.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Renwei Li, Mingyi Zhang, Varvara Andreeva, Wansheng Pei, Yanqiao Zhou, Ivan Misailov, Nikolay Basharin
Summary: This study evaluates the changes in permafrost in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and finds that permafrost degradation will continue, with a decrease in permafrost area and an increase in active layer thickness. The results provide important information for environmental protection and engineering risk management.
COLD REGIONS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mingli Zhang, Zhi Wen, Desheng Li, Yaling Chou, Zhixiong Zhou, Fengxi Zhou, Bingbing Lei
Summary: Summer rainfall has significant effects on the thermal-moisture dynamics of the active layer in permafrost regions, especially consecutive and heavy rainfall events. Rainfall leads to soil temperature decrease, delays in temperature rise, and increased surface latent heat flux.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Tonghua Wu, Wensi Ma, Xiaodong Wu, Ren Li, Yongping Qiao, Xiangfei Li, Guangyang Yue, Xiaofan Zhu, Jie Ni
Summary: The carbon sink on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) has weakened during the past four decades, especially in the non-permafrost regions. Simulation results suggest that future climate change may shift the carbon sink on the QTP to a carbon source.
Article
Geography, Physical
Guanli Jiang, Siru Gao, Antoni G. Lewkowicz, Hongting Zhao, Shouji Pang, Qingbai Wu
Summary: An investigation of an active layer detachment slide (ALDS) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) revealed that it was likely triggered by the intersection of a layer with high ice content and a thaw depth. The minimum downslope velocity of the main slide mass was approximately 20 m/h, and it collided with the embankment of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway (QTR).
PERMAFROST AND PERIGLACIAL PROCESSES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fang Ji, Linfeng Fan, Xingxing Kuang, Xin Li, Bin Cao, Guodong Cheng, Yingying Yao, Chunmiao Zheng
Summary: This study investigates the effects of soil wetting and granularity on the changes in active layer thickness (ALT) and assesses the spatiotemporal dynamics of ALT on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). The results show that soil wetting slows down the thickening of the active layer in response to warming, and latent heat has a stronger control on ALTs compared to thermal conductivity. Additionally, under similar warming conditions, coarse soils have a faster thickening rate than fine soils.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Zhida Xu, Liming Jiang, Rui Guo, Ronggang Huang, Zhiwei Zhou, Fujun Niu, Zhiping Jiao
Summary: Thermokarst lakes are formed by the degradation of ice-rich permafrost. This study used time series InSAR analysis to characterize the spatial-temporal variations of surface deformation in the Beiluhe Basin in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and extracted thermokarst lakes. The results showed that the density of thermokarst lakes is positively correlated with the linear subsidence rate, seasonal deformation amplitude, and active layer thickness.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Guoan Yin, Jing Luo, Fujun Niu, Zhanju Lin, Minghao Liu
Summary: This study revealed that ground temperatures of permafrost island on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were significantly higher compared to nearby marginal permafrost and continuous permafrost, showing a continuous increase over the past 8 years. The disappearance of the permafrost island in 2018 was attributed to the persistent increase in active-layer thickness, decrease in permafrost table depth, and anomalously high air temperatures in 2016 and 2017.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Xiangfei Li, Tonghua Wu, Xiaodong Wu, Jie Chen, Xiaofan Zhu, Guojie Hu, Ren Li, Yongping Qiao, Cheng Yang, Junming Hao, Jie Ni, Wensi Ma
Summary: Extensive and rigorous model intercomparison is crucial before applying land surface models due to current uncertainties. An ensemble of 55,296 experiments was designed to evaluate the Noah-MP model on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Results showed that Noah-MP generally overestimates snow cover and underestimates soil temperature.
GEOSCIENTIFIC MODEL DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Hongkai Gao, Chuntan Han, Rensheng Chen, Zijing Feng, Kang Wang, Fabrizio Fenicia, Hubert Savenije
Summary: This study explores the impact of frozen soil on catchment hydrology and develops a novel frozen soil hydrological model to explain newly identified hydrological properties. By utilizing expert-driven data analysis and modeling, the complex hydrological processes are successfully simulated, providing new insights for frozen soil hydrology research.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Jiao Ming, Yunge Zhao, Qingbai Wu, Hailong He, Liqian Gao
Summary: Biocrusts play a crucial role in controlling soil temperature and freezing duration in frozen soil regions, helping to maintain the stability of frozen soil.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Mingxia Lv, Yibo Wang, Zeyong Gao
Summary: This study measured and analyzed the soil hydrological properties and hydrothermal processes in different degradation degrees of alpine meadow soils on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The results revealed a close relationship between soil hydrological properties and soil physicochemical properties. Freeze-thaw cycles could change the physicochemical and hydrological properties of the soil, with vegetation delaying the degradation of frozen soil. The actual available soil water content in the root layer was found to be a key factor in the ecohydrological process.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Judith A. Rosentreter, Alberto Borges, Bridget R. Deemer, Meredith A. Holgerson, Shaoda Liu, Chunlin Song, John Melack, Peter A. Raymond, Carlos M. Duarte, George H. Allen, David Olefeldt, Benjamin Poulter, Tom Battin, Bradley D. Eyre
Summary: The study shows that aquatic ecosystems play a significant role in global methane emissions, with emissions varying greatly within and between different types of aquatic systems. Methane emissions increase from natural to impacted aquatic ecosystems and from coastal to freshwater ecosystems.
Article
Agronomy
Yang Li, Genxu Wang, Haijian Bing, Tao Wang, Kewei Huang, Chunlin Song, Xiaopeng Chen, Zhaoyong Hu, Pengfei Rui, Xiaoyan Song, Ruiying Chang
Summary: The spatial variability in ecosystem respiration (Re) and methane (CH4) fluxes in Tibetan alpine grassland watersheds were studied through field monitoring, revealing the controlling effect of microbial factors on Re variability and the influence of soil water content on CH4 fluxes. Frozen soil conditions in the Tibetan alpine grassland watersheds may increase the spatial variability of soil moisture and create poorly drained landscape, affecting the uptake of CH4 and hindering soil respiration.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhiwei Wang, Shouqin Sun, Chunlin Song, Genxu Wang, Shan Lin, Silu Ye
Summary: This study analyzed the river flow characteristics and their response to climate change in permafrost regions on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The results showed that high flows in permafrost regions can either rise or fall in the context of global warming, with different sensitivities to temperature, NDVI, precipitation, and rainfall intensity. Different percentile high flows can be used to determine the level of annual flood events. Analyzing different high flows combined with flow duration curves is essential for understanding the hydrological processes in permafrost regions. Prudent utilization of water resources benefits sustainable development.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sun Xiangyang, Wang Genxu, Sun Juying, Sun Shouqin, Hu Zhaoyong, Song Chunlin, Lin Shan
Summary: This study used stable isotopes to investigate the spatiotemporal patterns of water sources for Faber's fir in a high-altitude elevational gradient on the Tibetan Plateau. The results showed that the dependence on water sources varied with elevation, and precipitation contributed significantly to xylem water.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Zhiwei Wang, Shouqin Sun, Genxu Wang, Chunlin Song
Summary: Baseflow, mainly contributed by sub-permafrost groundwater, is of great significance for maintaining ecosystem security and rational planning of water resources in alpine permafrost basins. Our study presents an approach to determine low-flow components by analyzing recession curves and flow duration curves of river discharge in the source regions of the Yangtze River and Yellow River. Results show that sub-permafrost groundwater dominates in sustaining low-flows, especially in dry years, and its proportion increases with permafrost degradation. Our findings highlight the potential impact of future climate change on runoff composition in permafrost rivers.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhaoyong Hu, Shouqin Sun, Xiangyang Sun, Shan Lin, Chunlin Song, Genxu Wang
Summary: Based on eddy-covariance data, this study analyzed the spatial-temporal patterns of evapotranspiration (ET) and identified the physical and biological factors influencing ET fluctuations in montane ecosystems. The results showed that in forest zones, precipitation played a dominant role in interannual ET fluctuations, while in shrubland, biological factors had a greater impact. Additionally, elevation had a significant influence on ET, with higher elevations experiencing larger fluctuations.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jinlong Li, Genxu Wang, Kai Li, Yang Li, Linmao Guo, Chunlin Song
Summary: Variations in suspended sediment on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau have significant implications for aquatic ecosystems. This study examined the responses of runoff and suspended sediment dynamics in the source region of the Yangtze River to climate change and ground freeze-thaw cycle. Results showed that climate change, through regulating air temperature and precipitation, controlled the seasonal and annual water-sediment dynamics. Precipitation and land surface temperature were identified as the major factors contributing to increased sediment fluxes. Freeze-thaw cycles affected soil erosion patterns and contributed to elevated sediment fluxes in the initial thaw and initial freezing periods.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chunlin Song, Genxu Wang, Xiangyang Sun, Yang Li, Silu Ye, Zhaoyong Hu, Juying Sun, Shan Lin
Summary: Riverine CO2 flux in permafrost watersheds is still uncertain. This study presents the seasonal pCO2 and FCO2 of rivers and streams in the Yangtze River source region, highlighting the importance of hydrology and active layer dynamics in controlling CO2 variation. The results suggest that accurate quantification of annual CO2 flux requires full seasonal coverage of CO2 dynamics.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiangyang Sun, Xinyu Zhang, Genxu Wang, Zhaoyong Hu, Chunlin Song, Shan Lin, Juying Sun, Shouqin Sun
Summary: This study classified 71 FLUXNET2015 sites into energy-limited, transitional, and water-limited climates based on the Budyko dryness index. Modified WUE models were used to predict daytime transpiration, and the results showed that an additional net radiation term in the WUE model effectively predicted transpiration in energy-limited and transitional regions, while an additional soil water content term performed well in water-limited regions. Combining these two terms improved the prediction of transpiration in both energy-limited and transitional regions.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Shan Lin, Genxu Wang, Zhaoyong Hu, Xiangyang Sun, Chunlin Song, Kewei Huang, Juying Sun, Yi Yang
Summary: This study investigates the response of different alpine grasslands to changes in precipitation, finding that alpine meadow and seasonal frost regions have significantly higher water use efficiency (WUE) compared to alpine steppe and permafrost regions. It also reveals that WUE increases in severe dry years and decreases in wet years.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Zishu Tang, Biying Zhai, Genxu Wang, Arthur Gessler, Shouqin Sun, Zhaoyong Hu
Summary: The changes in stem hydraulic characteristics of Abies fabri along an elevational gradient were studied in a subalpine ecosystem in southwest China. Xylem hydraulic efficiency decreased with increasing elevation, while hydraulic dysfunction and vulnerability to embolism increased at higher altitudes. The trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and safety was weak at higher elevations due to low temperature and excessive precipitation.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Environmental Sciences
Chunlin Song, Genxu Wang, Xiangyang Sun, Yang Li, Silu Ye, Zhaoyong Hu, Juying Sun, Shan Lin
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)