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The increasing global warming trend has resulted in the mass loss of most glaciers. The Urumqi Vally, located in the dry and cold zone of China, and its widely dispersed glaciers are significant to the regional ecological environment, oasis economic development, and industrial and agricultural production. This is representative of glaciers in Middle Asia and represents one of the world's longest observed time series of glaciers, beginning in 1959. The Urumqi Headwater Glacier No. 1 (UHG-1) has a dominant presence in the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS). This paper supplies a comprehensive analysis of past studies and future modeling of glacier changes in the Urumqi Valley. It has received insufficient attention in the past, and the mass balance of UHG-1 was used to verify that the geodetic results and the OGGM model simulation results are convincing. The main conclusions are: The area of 48.68 ± 4.59 km2 delineated by 150 glaciers in 1958 decreased to 21.61 ± 0.27 km2 delineated by 108 glaciers in 2022, with a reduction of 0.47 ± 0.04 km2·a−1 (0.96% a−1 in 1958–2022). The glacier mass balance by geodesy is −0.69 ± 0.11 m w.e.a−1 in 2000–2022, which is just deviating from the measured result (−0.66 m w.e.a−1), but the geodetic result in this paper can be enough to reflect the glacier changes (−0.65 ± 0.11 m w.e.a−1) of the URB in 2000–2022. The future loss rate of area and volume will undergo a rapid and then decelerating process, with the fastest and slowest inflection points occurring around 2035 and 2070, respectively. High temperatures and large precipitation in summer accelerate glacier loss, and the corresponding lag period of glacier change to climate is about 2–3 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comparison of Sogdian images in China and Central Asia has become a hot topic in academic circles in recent years. However, there is no specific comparison of Sogdian images on burial utensils in the existing studies. Accordingly, the author proposes to compare the images on burial utensils by collecting together the remaining materials as much as possible and making corresponding data tables. First and foremost, this paper focuses on the actual quantity of the remains and gives a table, "Statistics of the Sogdian Burial Utensils with Images", to show this quantity for the first time: there are 30 remains of Sogdian burial utensils in China (26 sarcophagi and four ossuaries) and 23 Sogdian burial utensils in Central Asia (all are ossuaries). Secondly, there are several tables based on remaining materials in this paper, including "Distribution of the Shapes of Sogdian Sarcophagi in China", "Historical Period and Shape of Sogdian Ossuaries in Central Asia", "Religious Images Table of Sogdian Sarcophagi in China", "Table of Religious Image Types of the Sogdian Ossuaries in Central Asia" and "Common Religious Images of the Burial Utensils in China and Central Asia". Thirdly, further analysis shows that there are two image systems. Grounded in the above analysis, this paper comes to conclusions at three levels. Firstly, there are two shapes of burial utensils. Sarcophagi are widely seen in China whilst ossuaries are commonly discovered in Central Asia. As a result, the images on the sarcophagi in China are large in size and wide in narrative themes, whereas those on the ossuaries in Central Asia are small in size, emphasizing important content and narrative themes. All are rich in image representation. Secondly, there are three types of religious images on the burial utensils. The comparison results of image types show the common images in three categories: gods, funeral ceremonies and sacred fire sacrifice. Thirdly, the images on burial utensils have different characteristics regarding religious transmission. Zoroastrianism is dominant in Central Asia, while Zoroastrianism, Chinese mythology and Buddhist images are primary in China and images of tomb owners embodying secularity are also widespread in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a bridge and link between China and Central Asian countries, logistics infrastructure plays an important role in the process of forming a new development pattern of "dual circulation" and mutual promotion. Based on the panel data of Central Asian countries from 2010 to 2019, this paper uses random effect model to analyze the impact on the cross-border agricultural product supply chain between China and Central Asian countries. The results show that the logistics development level, railway transport connectivity, road transport connectivity, economic development level, market size, and common border of Central Asian countries positively affect the development level of the supply chain at different significance levels. Among them, the degree of railway transport connectivity has the greatest impact on the supply chain, followed by the common border, and then the level of logistics development. Moreover, the geographical advantage cannot be underestimated and it plays a positive role in promoting the high-quality development of cross-border agricultural product supply chain. China borders Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and the agricultural product import and export trade quota is significantly greater than that of other Central Asian countries. Based on the analysis, we propose to strengthen efforts to build a high-quality logistics system, build an efficient land transport network, and break through cross-border logistics congestion and difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pagodas and pavilions (ge 閣) are the most popular and representative multi-story buildings since Buddhism was introduced to China. While providing visitors with a new visual experience, they have also largely reshaped the urban space and skyline in medieval China. The former originated from India and Central Asia and was transformed in China, developing a unique style; The latter originated more from the creation of Chinese architects and became a model of typical Chinese-style Buddhist architecture. Briefly, the pagoda matured earlier than the pavilion, and continuously developed while maintaining its basic style; the pavilion-style Buddhist architecture gradually developed later and finally matured after the Tang and Song dynasties (618–1276), partially presenting a different spatial logic from the pagoda, and bringing a new visual experience. In my opinion, although the pavilion may not necessarily be as large as the pagoda in terms of volume and absolute height, it can provide believers with greater visual impact in the internal space for worship, due to the cross-story giant Buddhist statues; the closer integration of Buddha statues and architecture makes it replace or share the core position of the pagoda in some monasteries and even become the visual center of the entire religious space. Due to the existence of the pavilion, viewers can not only worship the Buddhist statues on a two-dimensional plane or by looking up at the statues from the bottom, but have also gained a three-dimensional perspective, to worship directly at the Buddha's shoulders, neck, and head. In the Buddhist grottoes, the layout of the early single-layer or multi-layer horizontally distribution of caves on cliff was also changed due to the excavation of the cross-layer giant statue grottoes, covered by multi-story pavilion-style buildings, providing viewers with a visual experience similar to that of the pavilions of great statues. Additionally, there is a new visual experience of worshiping the Buddha in a vertical circle, in cases such as Bamiyan and the Leshan Giant Buddha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yili Basin represents a typical region influenced by the Westerlies, and as a result of the substantial precipitation delivered by these winds, it has emerged as a significant hub for agricultural and animal husbandry activities in Central Asia. This study established a 419-year tree-ring width chronology, utilizing living Picea schrenkiana samples from two sampling sites in the Yili Basin. Correlation analysis showed that the standard tree-ring width chronology had the best correlation with the Palmer Drought Severity Index from the previous August to the current May (PDSIP8C5) (r = 0.614, n = 59, p < 0.001). Therefore, we reconstructed PDSIP8C5 variations from 1673 to 2018. The reconstruction results reveal eight wet and seven dry periods during the past 346 years. In the reconstructed series, droughts are particularly pronounced around 1770 and 1920, and the PDSI shows a significant long-term wetting trend since the 1980s. The solar activity, North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) jointly influenced the regional moisture variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karez systems are ancient hydraulic works that use underground waterways to divert water by gravity and have historically been popular in arid regions across Central Asia. Karez systems have undergone thousands of years of development and have been used for irrigation in 40 countries and regions worldwide. Although there are different opinions about the origin of karezes, the role and significance of karezes are similar. The Turpan Basin is a relatively closed inland basin in China, far from the ocean, with a very dry climate and high evaporation rates. However, due to the ice and snow meltwater of the Tianshan Mountains, the groundwater resources in the basin are abundant. Karezes are an important support for Turpan's farming civilization and tourism culture and represent a great masterpiece of how people in arid areas have used the natural environment. This study used historical CORONA images to visually interpret the karez system in the 1970s and compared it with the karez system in 2020 to analyze the spatial distribution variation characteristics of the karezes. The impact of land use/land cover change on the karezes was also analyzed. The results showed that from 1970 to 2020, as the population grew, there was an increase in arable land and built-up areas while the water area decreased. In general, the increase in arable land and built-up areas, the decrease in water area, and the increase in the number of electromechanical wells have combined to reduce the number of karez systems. Based on the CORONA image from 1970, it is possible to visualize the shaft area that existed in 1970 but did not exist in 2020. Some karez shafts that existed in bare terrain areas in 1970 were truncated when the land use/land cover type changed to arable land. The area where the disappeared karez shafts were located is approximately 87.77 square kilometers. Through the study of the changes in the spatial distribution of karezes and the impact of land use/land cover change on karezes, this research provides a valuable reference for the construction of karez conservation areas or urban planning. The investigation of the distribution of historical karezes is of great significance for studying the changes in karezes and excavating the historical and cultural value of karezes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kanggur ductile shear zone (KDSZ), located in the south margin of the Central Asia Orogenic Belt (CAOB), plays a critical role in the tectonic evolution and mineralization in eastern Tianshan. Although different isotopic chronologies have been reported, the termination of the KDSZ deformation remains controversial. Here, we provide new data obtained by U-Pb dating of zircon and apatite from Huangshandong synkinematic granite (HSG) and Huludong deformed granite (HDG) to constrain the termination of the KDSZ deformation. The U-Pb age of apatite from HSG (249.1 ± 1.8 Ma) is identical to that of zircon (256.5 ± 2.1 Ma) within the error range. In contrast, the U-Pb age of apatite from HDG (248.1 ± 4.0 Ma) is significantly younger than that of zircon (347.3 ± 2.5 Ma). The HDG and HDG have the geochemical characteristics of I-type granites petrogenesis, including high SiO2 (up to 75.47%), high alkaline (K2O + Na2O = 6.39%–8.05%), low FeOT/MgO (2.4–3.4), and peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.01–1.08). Combined with previous Sr-Nd isotope compositions, the positive zircon εHf(t) values and TDM2 ages indicate that the ca. 347 Ma HDG originated from the re-melting of juvenile crust crustal-derived magma in a volcanic arc environment during the northward subduction of the Kanggur oceanic basin, and the ca. 257 Ma HSG originated from the partial melting of thickened juvenile crust in a post-collisional environment. Although trace elements of zircon show typical magmatic characteristics, apatite does not. With the presence of distinct major and trace elements in apatite, the apatite from HSG is characterized by high Mn (>2500 ppm), slight enrichment in the middle rare earth elements (MREEs), and obvious negative Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.09–0.21), indicating that it is related to magmatic apatite. In contrast, the apatite from HDG, with low Mn (<860 ppm), depleted light rare earth elements (LREEs), and variable Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.30–1.34), demonstrated fluid metasomatism with metamorphic overprinting. Combined with the regional geology and published geochronology data, the HSG is interpreted to be derived from the magma experiencing cooling crystallization in the plastic state from 256.5 to 249.1 Ma, while the HDG is considered to have experienced metamorphism and deformation between 347.3 and 248.1 Ma. Owing to the relatively low closure temperature of the U-Pb isotopic system, the apatite U-Pb ages are interpreted as Early Triassic tectono-magmatism events, corresponding to the end of deformation of the KDSZ. This is inferred to be related to the continuous evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean in the Late Permian to Early Triassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The broad objective of our study was to evaluate the life history flexibility of the annual Erodium oxyrhinchum in relation to the predicted changes in precipitation in the cold desert due to climate change. We compared the effects of dry and wet springs and dry and wet autumns on growth and F2 seed dormancy of plants from spring- and autumn-germinated seeds of the cold desert annual E. oxyrhinchum from 2016–2020. Also, the future climate for the region was modeled. Our results found that given the flexibility in the life history of E. oxyrhinchum, it seems unlikely that future climate change will have much of an impact on the life history and dominant position of this species in the herbaceous plant community in the unpredictable-rainfall environment of the cold desert. Our study challenges the commonly-held perception that desert organisms may be negatively affected by climate change. Interannual seasonal variability in precipitation may strongly affect the life history and growth of desert annual plants. We compared the effects of dry and wet springs and dry and wet autumns on growth and F2 seed dormancy of plants from spring (SG)- and autumn (AG)-germinated seeds of the cold desert annual Erodium oxyrhinchum. Vegetative and reproductive growth and F2 seed dormancy and germination were monitored from September 2016 to November 2020 in the sandy Gurbantunggut Desert in NW China in Central Asia. Dry autumns decreased the density of AG plants, and dry springs decreased the density of SG plants and growth of SG and AG plants. In dry springs, SG plants were more sensitive to precipitation than AG plants, while in wet springs SG and AG plants had similar responses to precipitation. During growth in both dry and wet springs, most morphological characters of SG and AG plants initially increased rapidly in size/number and then plateaued or decreased, except for SG plants in dry springs. In dry springs, most morphological characters of AG plants were larger or more numerous than those of SG plants, and they were larger/more numerous for SG plants in wet than in dry springs. The percentage biomass allocated to reproduction in SG plants was slightly higher in a wet than in a dry spring. A much higher proportion of dormant seeds was produced by AG plants in a wet spring than in a dry spring. Projected changes in precipitation due to climate change in NW China are not likely to have much of an effect on the biology of this common desert annual plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prunus divaricata and Prunus armeniaca are important wild fruit trees that grow in part of the Western Tianshan Mountains in Central Asia, and they have been listed as endangered species in China. Shot-hole disease of stone fruits has become a major threat in the wild-fruit forest of the Western Tianshan Mountains. Twenty-five isolates were selected from diseased P. divaricata and P. armeniaca. According to the morphological characteristics of the culture, the 25 isolates were divided into eight morphological groups. Conidia were spindle-shaped, with ovate apical cells and truncated basal cells, with the majority of conidia comprising 3–4 septa, and the conidia had the same shape and color in morphological groups. Based on morphological and cultural characteristics and multilocus analysis using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, partial large subunit (LSU) nuclear ribosomal RNA (nrRNA) gene, and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) gene, the fungus was identified as Wilsonomyces carpophilus. The 25 W. carpophilus isolates had high genetic diversity in phylogenetic analysis, and the morphological groups did not correspond to phylogenetic groups. The pathogenicity of all W. carpophilus isolates was confirmed by inoculating healthy P. divaricata and P. armeniaca leaves and fruits. The pathogen was re-isolated from all inoculated tissues, thereby fulfilling Koch's postulates. There were no significant differences in the pathogenicity of different isolates inoculated on P. armeniaca and P. divaricata leaves (p > 0.05). On fruit, G053 7m3 and G052 5m2 showed significant differences in inoculation on P. armeniaca, and G010 5m2 showed extremely significant differences with G004 7m2 and G004 5m2 on P. divaricata (p < 0.05). This is the first report on shot-hole disease of P. armeniaca (wild apricot) leaves and P. divaricata induced by W. carpophilus in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional studies on the erosive power of rainfall patterns are still limited and the actual impacts that may follow on erosional and sedimentation processes are poorly understood. Given the several interrelated challenges of environmental management, it is also not always unclear what is relevant for the development of adaptive and integrated approaches facilitating sustainable water resource management. This editorial introduces the Special Issue entitled "Rainfall Erosivity in Soil Erosion Processes", which offers options to fill some of these gaps. Three studies performed in China and Central Asia (by Duulatov et al., Water2019, 11, 897, Xu et al., 2019, 11, 2429, Gu et al. 2020, 12, 200) show that the erosion potential of rainfall is increasing in this region, driving social, economic, and environmental consequences. In the same region (the Weibei Plateau in China), Fu et al. (Water2019, 11, 1514) assessed the effect of raindrop energy on the splash distance and particle size distribution of aggregate splash erosion. In the Mediterranean, updated estimates of current and future rainfall erosivity for Greece are provided by Vantas et al. (Water2020, 12, 687), while Diodato and Bellocchi (Water2019, 11, 2306) reconstructed and investigated seasonal net erosion in an Italian catchment using parsimonious modelling. Then, this Special Issue includes two technologically oriented articles by Ricks at al. The first (Water2019, 11, 2386) evaluated a large-scale rainfall simulator design to simulate rainfall with characteristics similar to natural rainfall. The data provided contribute to the information that may be useful for the government's decision making when considering landscape changes caused by variations in the intensity of a rainfall event. The second article (Water2020, 12, 515) illustrated a laboratory-scale test of mulching methods to protect against the discharge of sediment-laden stormwater from active construction sites (e.g., highway construction projects). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]