Search Results (31)

Accurate, high-resolution information on economic forest resources, here referring to fruit-tree plantations and economic tree crops, is essential for land-use planning and resource management in arid regions. Xinjiang, China—one of the country’s most important fruit-producing areas—exhibits highly fragmented and heterogeneous distributions of economic tree plantations, posing challenges for large-scale and long-term monitoring. In this study, we integrated multi-source remote sensing data by combining multi-temporal Sentinel-2 optical imagery with Sentinel-1 SAR backscatter and texture features to characterize the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of major economic tree plantations from 2019 to 2024. An optimized Random Forest classifier was applied across five key production regions (Aksu, Bazhou, Hotan, Kashgar, and Turpan–Hami). The mapping results achieved overall accuracies ranging from 0.85 to 0.97, with Kappa coefficients between 0.80 and 0.95. The results indicate that economic tree plantations are predominantly distributed along oasis corridors of the Tarim Basin and the alluvial plains on both sides of the Tianshan Mountains, forming belt- and patch-like spatial patterns. While the overall spatial configuration remained relatively stable during the study period, localized expansion was observed, mainly associated with walnut, jujube, and grape plantations. These findings provide insights into the spatial dynamics of economic tree plantations and support land-use optimization and agricultural planning in arid and semi-arid regions. Full article

European plum (Prunus domestica L.) is widely cultivated worldwide, with China producing 6.8 million t annually (55% of the global total output). However, the Kashgar region of Xinjiang, China’s primary production area, has experienced outbreaks of brown spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. Outbreaks of this disease severely hinder both domestic and global development of the European plum industry. Because this pathogen has a strong latent infection capability during the early stages of disease development, its early detection is important. We develop two detection methods targeting the ITS sequence of A. alternata: LAMP-Cresol Red chromogenic visible endpoint detection and LAMP-SYBR Green I real-time fluorescent detection. Both methods demonstrate high specificity for A. alternata, enabling stable detection of the pathogen in various plant samples; detection limits reach the femtogram (fg) level, significantly surpassing conventional PCR detection capabilities. Development of these highly efficient and precise early detection methods provides a solid foundation for sustainable development of China as a global hub of the European plum industry, and contributes significantly to global disease prevention, control, and industrial stability for this crop. Full article

To identify the primary pathogen responsible for brown rot in mature Korla fragrant pears and to screen for effective biocontrol bacterial strains, a research team collected 30 samples of brown rot-infected fruits and 84 samples from healthy trees (including branches, leaves, and fruits) from three Korla pear cultivation areas in Korla, Aksu, and Kashgar between September and October 2024. Investigation into the severity of the disease revealed the local field incidence rate of brown rot ranged from 17% to 31%. From the 30 disease samples, 23 morphologically identical fungal strains were isolated, with 13 strains isolated from Korla City (56.5%), 6 from Aksu City (26.1%), and 4 from Tumushuk (17.4%), all detected in infected fruits. Pathogenicity tests were conducted using both inoculation by wounding with mycelium and spray inoculation experiments to study the pathogens’ effect on brown rot in Korla fragrant pears. From the 84 samples of healthy trees, 55 bacterial strains were isolated, and the antagonistic bacteria’s inhibitory effect on the isolated pathogens was determined using the dual-culture method. The pathogen was identified by morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis based on multi-locus sequencing (ITS-TUB2-Lcc2). Antagonistic bacterial strains were identified through morphological observation and 16S rDNA sequencing. The results demonstrated that the pathogen isolated from the diseased Korla fragrant pear tissues was identified as Monilinia yunnanensis. Among the biocontrol antagonistic bacteria isolated from the branches, bark, and leaves of healthy Korla fragrant pear trees, Bacillus siamensis exhibited significant inhibitory effects against the pathogen, with an in vitro inhibition rate of (88.18 ± 3.43)%. Full article

Salinization of irrigation areas is a key environmental challenge faced by arid and semi-arid regions worldwide, and the complexity of natural environment and human activities increases the uncertainty of salinization distribution. This study takes the Xiaohaizi Irrigation Area in Kashgar, Xinjiang as the research location. Soil samples were collected before sowing and after harvesting in 2023 and analyzed. Using geostatistics and digital soil mapping techniques, the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of soil salinization in the region were finely characterized. The results showed that the soil salinization in Xiaohaizi Irrigation District was moderate to high, with mean salt contents of 8.29 g/kg in the 0–30 cm layer, 6.16 g/kg at 30–60 cm, and 4.80 g/kg at 60–100 cm before sowing, all indicating moderate to high salinity levels. The salt content showed a surface aggregation distribution with significant differences between different depths. The main ions that affect salinization are SO₄²⁻, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻, K⁺, and Na⁺. The 0–30 cm soil layer is mainly composed of mildly saline soil, and the degree of soil salinization decreases with the depth of the soil layer. After harvesting, the overall degree of salinization in the irrigation area intensified, and the spatial distribution of salinization was uneven. The degree of salinization was higher in the northwest and lower in the south. The impact of human activities on surface soil salinization is greater than that on deep soil. The areas where the degree of salinization in the 0–30, 30–60, and 60–100 cm soil layers undergoes transformation account for 57.18%, 33.15%, and 26.9%, respectively. This study reveals the complex dynamics of soil salinization in the Xiaohaizi irrigation area, providing scientific support for soil management and irrigation strategies in the region, and is of great significance for achieving sustainable development of oasis agriculture. Full article

The risk of debris flow comprehensively reflects both the natural and social attributes of debris flow disasters, composed of the hazard of debris flow and the vulnerability of the bearing body. The geological environment of the Kashgar-to-Khunjerab section of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor is complex, with widespread debris flow disasters, strong activity, and severe hazards, posing a significant threat to corridor construction and public safety. Therefore, conducting debris flow risk assessments in the Kashgar-to-Khunjerab section of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor has great significance for disaster prevention and control. Based on field investigation data of debris flows, this study evaluates the hazard of debris flows in the study area through the frequency ratio and frequency ratio–logistic regression coupled models. The vulnerability of debris flows was evaluated through a contribution weight model. Based on the assessment results of hazard and vulnerability, a risk assessment model was utilized to explore the risk situation of debris flow disasters in the Kashgar-to-Khunjerab section of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. The results show that the frequency ratio–logistic regression coupled model (AUC = 0.867) is more suitable for debris flow disasters hazard assessment. The area of medium hazard zones and above accounts for 68.6% of the total area. The vulnerability in the study area is generally concentrated in the township regions along the Kashgar-to-Khunjerab section of the China–Pakistan Highway. The proportion of medium and above vulnerability zones areas reaches 55.6%. The risk levels of the study area generally radiate outward from the Kashgar-to-Khunjerab section of the China–Pakistan Highway, exhibiting a decreasing trend of from high to low. The distribution areas of different risk zones initially increase and then decrease with the rise in risk levels, and the area of medium risk zones and above accounts for 50.8% of the total area. Approximately 91.7% of debris flow disaster points are located in high and very high risk zones. This indicates that the study area has a high level of risk. The study results can provide a scientific basis for planning debris flow disasters prevention and mitigation measures, and the proposed assessment methods can also serve as a reference and guidance for debris flow risk assessment in the study area and other regions. Full article

The complex trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem services (ESs) in arid regions influence the stability and sustainable development of regional ecosystems. As a representative oasis–desert transition zone, the Kashgar region requires quantifying the key drivers and thresholds influencing ecosystem services, which is crucial for regional management. This study examines the spatio-temporal changes and interactions of five types of ES (grain production, water yield, soil retention, carbon storage, and habitat quality) and employs Restricted Cubic Splines to quantify the nonlinear changes and threshold effects of natural and social drivers. The results indicate the following: (1) During the period from 2000 to 2020, supply services (grain production) and regulatory services (water yield and soil retention) showed growth, while support services (carbon storage and habitat quality) declined slightly; (2) the synergistic effects of ecological services improved across the entire region, but trade-off effects emerged in certain local areas; and (3) the NDVI is the core natural factor driving the spatio-temporal differentiation of ESs. In 2020, when the NDVI exceeded 0.35, it had an adverse impact on habitat quality and carbon storage. Among social factors, water yield and habitat quality exhibit the highest threshold points with land use development intensity. An increase in land development intensity significantly impacts the trade-off and synergistic relationships among ESs, leading to local imbalances in ES resource supply and demand. These findings enhance our understanding of the nonlinear characteristics and potential mechanisms of ecosystems in arid regions, providing a scientific basis for ecosystem management in these areas. Full article

Understanding the dynamics of regional water area changes is crucial for effective water resource management and ecological conservation, particularly in arid regions. Located in northwestern China’s arid zone, changes in water area in Kashgar significantly impact local agricultural productivity, ecological integrity, and human socioeconomic activities. However, long-term trends in water area changes and their driving factors in Kashgar remain poorly understood. This study leverages Landsat and Sentinel-2 imagery from 2003 to 2023, employing a random forest algorithm to extract water body information. Key findings are as follows: (1) both total and seasonal water area exhibit a fluctuating downward trend, while permanent water area displays a fluctuating upward trend; (2) precipitation and temperature emerged as primary drivers of water area changes, with precipitation in the surrounding regions of Kashgar exerting a particularly significant influence, while evaporation exhibited a lesser impact; (3) the influence of climate change and anthropogenic activities in surrounding areas on water area changes in Kashgar cannot be overlooked. Full article

The sustainable utilization of cultivated land is a crucial prerequisite for ensuring food security and achieving sustainable socioeconomic development. This study employed a dataset to evaluate sustainable land use and utilized a combination of multi-factor comprehensive evaluation models, structural equation modeling, geographically weighted regression, and Pearson correlation analysis to systematically investigate the overall level, spatial differentiation characteristics, and driving mechanisms of sustainable cultivated land utilization in the Tarim River Basin. Additionally, we compared and tested three spatial interpolation methods using high-resolution data to address the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) and enhance the quality of spatial predictions for cultivated land utilization, ultimately identifying inverse distance weighting (IDW) as the optimal method. The results indicate the following: (1) The level of sustainable cultivated land utilization is moderately high, with an average index of 0.581, exhibiting a “U-shaped” trend from the upper to lower reaches of the Tarim River Basin. The highest levels are found in the Kashgar River–Yarkant River Basin, followed by the Hotan River Basin and the Kaidu–Peacock River Basin, while the mainstream area has the lowest levels. (2) The relationships among various cultivated land environmental systems and sustainability demonstrate distinct response characteristics and spatial differentiation patterns. Cultivated land use and management exert the most significant influence on sustainability, followed by soil quality and water resource systems, with climatic factors having the least impact. The effects of each system reveal inverted “U”, inverted “N”, “U”, and “W” patterns from the lower reaches to the upper reaches, respectively. (3) As the complexity of interactions and integrative mechanisms within the regional cultivated land system increases, the sensitivity and vulnerability of the system also rise, resulting in lower levels of sustainable utilization. (4) Based on the current challenges facing the cultivated land environmental system and the primary mechanisms influencing its sustainability, we propose regulatory measures focused on “suitable consolidation”, “suitable resting”, and “suitable planting”. These findings provide valuable insights for formulating differentiated land protection strategies, policies, and spatial planning initiatives. Full article

Research on the carrying capacity of land resources and their outputs to population size will be able to better serve the ecological governance of food security. This paper analyzes the population carrying capacity level of southern Xinjiang by using the population carrying capacity model of land resources, and ANOVA analyzes the significance difference between the newly added arable land and the original arable land. At the same time, the demand of cultivated land development is discussed. The results showed that the sown area of grain crops in all the prefectures showed an overall increase from 2009 to 2019. The population carrying scale is more optimistic under subsistence and well-off conditions. From 2009 to 2019, cropland in Aksu region increased the most, followed by Kashgar region, with both regions exceeding 300,000 ha. ANOVA results show that the new arable land is comprehensively lower than the original arable land in terms of quality grade and agricultural output, and salinization and desertification are more serious than on the original arable land. At the same time, the subsistence type requires the least amount of arable land development while the affluent type requires the most. Therefore, we should adapt to local conditions and develop modern agriculture scientifically and reasonably. Full article

The spread of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a serious global zoonotic parasitic disease, is mostly under control; however, several cases have been reported in recent decades in Xinjiang, China. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological status and spatiotemporal clustering characteristics of VL in Xinjiang, China, between 2004 and 2021 to provide a basis for the development and implementation of surveillance and response measures. Data on VL incidence during 2004–2021 were collected from the National Diseases Reporting Information System of China. Global spatial autocorrelation analysis, identification of local indicators of spatial association, and spatial–temporal clustering analysis were conducted to identify the distribution and high-risk areas. A total of 2034 VL cases were reported, with a mean annual incidence of 0.50 per 100,000. There was a general decreasing trend in the incidence of VL during our study period. The majority of the cases were reported from October to February of the following year, and fewer cases were reported from April to July. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that the incidence of VL was spatially clustered within a few counties. Significant differences were observed during the study period (Moran’s I = 0.74, Z = 4.900, p < 0.05). The male-to-female ratio was 1.37:1, and most patients were in the age group 0–3 years. Cases were primarily distributed in seven regions and two autonomous prefectures, and Kashgar reported the highest number of cases (1688, 82.98%). Spatial analysis revealed that the aggregation of VL was predominantly observed in southwest Xinjiang. This was in alignment with the high-risk areas identified by spatiotemporal clustering analysis. The H-H clustering region was primarily observed in Gashi, Atushi, Shufu, Injisha, Kashgar, Yepuhu, and Bachu. These findings indicate that integrated control measures must be taken in different endemic areas to strengthen the VL control program in Xinjiang, China. Full article

A systematic understanding of the spatial distribution of meteorological disasters that affect cotton growth, such as rainstorms, gales, and hail, is important for reducing plant losses and promoting sustainable development. Our study aimed to evaluate the risk of meteorological disasters during cotton growth and analyze their spatial distribution and driving factors. A risk assessment model for major meteorological disasters during cotton cultivation in Xinjiang was established by integrating entropy weight methods and an analytic hierarchy process. A cotton meteorological disaster risk assessment index system, including the vulnerability of disaster-bearing bodies, hazards of disaster-causing factors, and exposure of disaster-bearing bodies, was constructed using Google Earth Engine. We determined the comprehensive risk levels of major meteorological disasters for cotton in various regions of Xinjiang. Research shows that the selection of indicators is very important, and crop risk assessment with a clear disaster-bearing body can make the results more accurate. It is necessary to consider the risk assessment of multiple disaster species for meteorological disaster risk assessment. The results revealed spatial differences in the meteorological disaster risk for cotton in 2020. The very high and high risks for cotton accounted for 42% of the cotton planting area, mainly distributed in Karamay, Tacheng, Kashgar, Changjizhou, Kezhou, and Ilizhou. Consequently, this study provides a scientific basis for cotton cultivation in Xinjiang, China. Full article

In the context of global warming, the focus on applying and researching double–skin facade (DSF) systems to reduce energy consumption in buildings has significantly increased. However, researchers have not thoroughly examined the performance and applicability of DSFs in severe cold regions with high winter heating demands. This study aims to evaluate the potential application of DSFs in the harsh cold cities of Northwest China and investigate their role in enhancing energy efficiency in large public buildings. Through energy consumption simulation and a comprehensive evaluation using the TOPSIS entropy weight method, the effects of applying 20 DSF schemes in four cold cities in Xinjiang (Kashgar, Urumqi, Altay, and Turpan) were analyzed. The experimental results indicate that the average EUI energy–saving rates in Kashgar, Urumqi, Altay, and Turpan are 64.75%, 63.19%, 56.70%, and 49.41%, respectively. South–facing orientation is deemed optimal for DSF in Xinjiang cities, with the highest energy–saving rate reaching 15.19%. In Kashgar, the energy–saving benefits of west–facing DSF surpass those of north–facing DSF. Conversely, the order of orientation benefits for other cities is south, north, west, and east. An analysis of heating, cooling, and lighting energy consumption reveals that Box Windows exhibit superior heating energy efficiency, while Corridors are more effective for cooling. This characteristic is also evident in the optimal installation orientation of various types of curtain walls. Given the relatively higher demand for heating compared to cooling in urban areas, Box Windows yields significant benefits when facing south, west, or north; conversely, if there is a high demand for urban cooling, Corridors should be considered in these three directions. Multistorey DSF systems are suitable for east–facing buildings in Xinjiang cities. Selecting suitable DSF schemes based on specific conditions and requirements can reduce building energy consumption. The research findings offer theoretical guidance for designing and implementing DSF in diverse cities in cold regions. Full article

Soil salinization has a significant impact on agricultural production and ecology. There is an urgent demand to establish an effective method that monitors the spatial and temporal distribution of soil salinity. In this study, a multi-indicator soil salinity monitoring model was proposed for monitoring soil salinity in Bachu County, Kashgar Region, Xinjiang, from 2002 to 2022. The model was established by combining multiple predictors (spectral, salinity, and composite indices and topographic factors) and the accuracy of the four models (Random Forest [RF], Partial Least Squares [PLS], Classification Regression Tree [CART], and Support Vector Machine [SVM]) was compared. The results reveal the high accuracy of the optimized prediction model, and the order of the accuracy is observed as RF > PLS > CART > SVM. The most accurate model, RF, exhibited an R² of 0.723, a root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.604 g·kg⁻¹, and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.95 g·kg⁻¹ at a 0–20 cm depth. At a 20–40 cm depth, RF had an R² value of 0.64, an RMSE of 3.62 g·kg⁻¹, and an MAE of 2.728 g·kg⁻¹. Spatial changes in soil salinity were observed throughout the study period, particularly increased salinization from 2002 to 2012 in the agricultural and mountainous areas within the central and western regions of the country. However, salinization declined from 2012 to 2022, with a decreasing trend in salinity observed in the top 0–20 cm of soil, followed by an increasing trend in salinity at a 20–40 cm depth. The proposed method can effectively extract large-scale soil salinity and provide a practical basis for simplifying the remote sensing monitoring and management of soil salinity. This study also provides constructive suggestions for the protection of agricultural areas and farmlands. Full article

Transportation significantly influences economically underdeveloped arid regions, impacting economic growth and social progress. Analyzing Transport Superiority Degree (TSD) and its implications in such regions is crucial. A new arid region-specific evaluation framework addresses traditional limitations by considering indicators like route connectivity and desert interference. This article conducts an empirical study using Southern Xinjiang as a research case. It combines comprehensive evaluation methods, spatial autocorrelation methods, spatial Durbin models, and coupling coordination models to depict Transport Support Capability (TSC), Transport Access Capacity (TAC), and Transport Guarantee Capacity (TGC) at different scales in Southern Xinjiang from 2000 to 2020. The study reveals spatial patterns, evolutionary characteristics, economic impacts, and social effects of TSD at various scales. Key findings include: (1) Rapid expansion of transportation infrastructure in Southern Xinjiang. The levels of TSD at different scales have gradually increased, and spatial and temporal pattern differences are evident. At the county level, TSD forms a “core-periphery” spatial pattern centered around the Southern Xinjiang Railway, with “high-high” agglomeration areas centered around Kashgar city and “low-low” agglomeration areas centered around Qiemo County. (2) Prefectural-level TSD improvements have limited impacts on regional development, while county-level TSC, TAC, TGC, and TSD positively affect economic and social growth but also exhibit competitive effects. (3) TSD is transitioning from non-coordinated to coordinated development with economic and social progress at different scales. This research informs transportation facility evaluation in arid regions. Full article

In recent years, air pollution in Xinjiang, the core region of the Silk Road Economic Belt, has become increasingly severe, posing a more significant threat to human health. This paper selects the tropospheric ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and formaldehyde datasets under OMI remote-sensing monitoring and the PM_2.5 dataset in China High Air Pollutants (CHAP) for 2018–2021. The spatial and temporal distribution of multi-pollutants, the spatial autocorrelation of Moran’s I index pollutants, and the correlation between pollutants in the warm period were studied in southern Xinjiang. Meanwhile, the geographical and temporal weighted regression (GTWR) model was used for influencing factor analysis, and the BenMap-CE model was used for health benefit analysis. The results showed that the spatial distribution of ozone concentration values in southern Xinjiang shows a decreasing distribution pattern from the east–central region to the western and southern regions. The spatial distribution of formaldehyde concentration values is opposite to that of ozone. There is a clear high-value area in the ozone concentration value in April–September. The NO₂ column concentration values were in the range of 0.55~1.09 × 10¹⁵ molec/cm² in most parts of southern Xinjiang. The area of high concentration values is located in the northeast of the study area; PM_2.5 concentration values are higher in the middle area of southern Xinjiang. The spatial autocorrelation characteristics showed that the spatial aggregation of O₃ and NO₂ displayed a slow increasing trend year by year. The spatial aggregation of HCHO and PM_2.5 fluctuated slightly in four years. The overall trend of HCHO is slowly decreasing, while PM_2.5 is fluctuating and increasing. In the GTWR model analysis, overall, the atmospheric pressure has a strong influence on all pollutants. The effect of NO₂ on O₃ was higher than that of HCHO among the four pollutants. The correlation between O₃ and PM_2.5 was as high as −0.7872. The BenMap-CE health benefits assessment concluded that the number of premature deaths caused by ozone pollution was much higher than that of premature deaths caused by PM_2.5. The highest number of premature deaths for both pollutants occurred in Kashgar. Full article