Publications
Monitoring Multi-Scale Ecological Change and Its Potential Drivers in the Economic Zone of the Tianshan Mountains’ Northern Slopes, Xinjiang, China
A recent study reveals that the ecological quality of the Urumqi-Changji-Shihezi metropolitan area on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains has significantly deteriorated compared to other regions, despite an overall rising trend in ecological quality across the region. The research used remote sensing data and geographic detectors to analyze land use changes and human disturbance impacts. Key findings include the expansion of built-up and agricultural lands at the expense of grasslands, increased human disturbance on glaciers, and a spatial pattern where ecological quality is highest in mountainous and agricultural areas but lowest in Gobi and desert regions. Surface temperature (LST) and vegetation index (NDVI) were identified as the most critical drivers of ecological change, with human interference playing a more significant role in built-up oasis areas. The study underscores the urgent need for strengthened ecological conservation efforts to mitigate the impacts of urban and agricultural land expansion.
Species niche and interspecific associations alter flora structure along a fertilization gradient in an alpine meadow of Tianshan Mountain, Xinjiang
A study on the Bayinbuluke alpine meadow in Xinjiang's Tianshan Mountains reveals that species niche breadth, overlap, and interspecific associations shift significantly along a fertilization gradient. Key findings include a decrease in species richness with increasing fertilization, while the importance of Festuca ovina and Poa annua rises under fertilization treatments. Niche width expands positively with critical values under fertilization, unlike controls, indicating altered competitive dynamics. Under low fertilization gradients, species exhibit positive correlations, suggesting cooperative interactions, whereas higher gradients show negative associations, pointing to increased competition. The research uses ecological statistics, variance ratio analysis, Pearson’s correlation, and association coefficient tests to explore these relationships, offering insights into the stable coexistence of populations under varying resource conditions.
Different remote sensing indicators reveal the transitions of two states along elevation gradients within the Xinjiang Tianshan Bogda Natural World Heritage Site
Researchers identified two distinct ecosystem states—temperate deserts and montane steppes—and their transition zones along elevation gradients within the Xinjiang Tianshan Bogda Natural World Heritage Site. Using remote sensing indicators (NDVI, FVC, and LST) alongside frequency analysis and Akaike information criterion (AIC), they quantified the shift between these states, revealing a critical transition range around 1066 meters. Potential energy analysis further validated this finding, showing that montane steppes dominate above 1094 meters while temperate deserts prevail below 1060 meters, with coexistence in between. The study introduces multi-stable state theory and potential energy modeling to heritage site research, offering a scientific foundation for protecting and restoring degraded steppe ecosystems in alpine regions.
Monitoring the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Habitat Quality and Its Driving Factors Based on the Coupled NDVI-InVEST Model: A Case Study from the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, China
Habitat quality (HQ) in the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, has declined by 4.8% over two decades (1995–2015), with significant spatial variation and strong correlations to terrain gradients, soil types, land-use changes, precipitation, temperature, and grazing intensity. The study employed a coupled NDVI-InVEST model to improve HQ estimation accuracy, identifying the Ili River Valley and Kaidu River Basin as hotspots for biodiversity conservation. Protected areas play a crucial role in mitigating degradation, while interaction effects of influencing factors further emphasize the need for targeted ecological restoration strategies. These findings provide actionable insights for climate-resilient conservation planning in arid mountain ecosystems.
Small patches play a critical role in the connectivity of the Western Tianshan landscape, Xinjiang, China
Small forest patches, often overlooked in conservation efforts, play a critical role in maintaining landscape connectivity in the Western Tianshan region of Xinjiang, China. A study identified 13 critical and 14 important patches for connectivity, including seven small (<5 ha) patches and fifteen clusters that act as stepping stones between larger patches. These small patches are essential for species with limited dispersal distances and should be prioritized in conservation strategies to enhance biodiversity protection.
Spatiotemporal Evolution of Mountainous Ecosystem Services in an Arid Region and Its Influencing Factors: A Case Study of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang
A comprehensive analysis of the Tianshan Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Xinjiang, reveals that while habitat quality and carbon storage have remained stable over two decades, soil retention and water yield exhibit significant fluctuations. The study, conducted using InVEST and RUSLE models, highlights spatial synergies and trade-offs in ecosystem services (ESs), with hotspots covering 73% of the region, predominantly at middle to high altitudes. Land-use changes are the primary driver for habitat quality and carbon storage, whereas water yield is strongly influenced by annual precipitation. These findings offer critical insights for policymakers aiming to enhance ecosystem conservation and management in arid regions.
Spatiotemporal Variability in Water-Use Efficiency in Tianshan Mountains (Xinjiang, China) and the Influencing Factors
Water-use efficiency (WUE) in the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China, has shown a decreasing trend from 2000 to 2020, primarily due to an increase in evapotranspiration (ET). Despite fluctuations, annual net primary productivity (NPP) and ET both increased over this period. The study found significant spatial heterogeneity in WUE, with temperature and wind speed positively influencing WUE in the middle and eastern regions, while precipitation enhanced WUE, particularly on the northern slope. Drought, as indicated by the temperature vegetation drought index (TVDI), also significantly impacted ecosystem WUE, with strong correlations observed between WUE and TVDI. These findings provide critical insights for water resource management and sustainable utilization in the region.
Mountain landscape health diagnosis and pattern evolution based on remote sensing: Case study in Xinjiang Tianshan Karajun-Kurdening
Over the past four decades, Xinjiang Tianshan's Karajun-Kurdening region has experienced significant landscape degradation, with severe shrinkage of ice-snow and water body landscapes, alongside a dramatic 62.54% annual expansion in bare land. Despite this, the overall landscape health has remained average since 1997, with northern areas showing better health than southern ones. The study introduces a novel remote sensing-based landscape health diagnosis system that integrates supervised classification, landscape pattern indices, and spatial interpolation techniques to assess ecological conditions in arid mountain regions. Validated using high-resolution UAV orthophoto images, this approach offers a robust method for monitoring and managing natural heritage sites, highlighting the need to prioritize protection efforts in scattered areas with poor or extremely poor health status.
Suitability evaluation for mountain-based adventure tourism: A case study of Xinjiang Tianshan, China
A spatial suitability evaluation system for mountain-based adventure tourism (MBAT) identified optimal regions within Xinjiang Tianshan, China, for different types of adventure tourism. The study, integrating AHP-Delphi techniques and quantified indicators in ArcGIS, revealed that the Kurdening and Tomur regions are most suitable for professional adventure tourism, while Tianshan Tianchi lake stands out for experiential adventure tourism. Mass adventure tourism is viable across vast middle to low-altitude areas of Tianshan. These findings offer critical insights for planning sustainable adventure tourism development, enhancing regional competitiveness, and guiding mountain communities in strategic tourism growth.
Triggering Mechanism of an Extreme Rainstorm Process near the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, an Arid Region in China, Based on a Numerical Simulation
A rare rainstorm event near the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, China—a typically arid region—was triggered by complex atmospheric interactions, according to a numerical simulation study. The research revealed that cold air descending from the mountains interacted with warm southwest winds, creating an oblique updraft and facilitating moisture convergence. This process transported supercooled cloud water and ice particles to high altitudes, sustaining the storm system along a convergence line. The findings highlight how rare combinations of temperature, humidity, and airflow dynamics can produce extreme weather in arid environments.
Conservation Value of World Natural Heritage Sites’ Outstanding Universal Value via Multiple Techniques—Bogda, Xinjiang Tianshan
A new framework combining multiple techniques reveals significant spatial variation in the conservation status of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) at Bogda, part of Xinjiang Tianshan World Natural Heritage Site. Researchers developed a Heritage Value Protection Significance Index (HVPSI) and related indices to assess OUV conservation across 17 indicators, including integrity, vulnerability, sensitivity, human impact, and environmental factors. Spatial autocorrelation analysis identified distinct zones with varying heritage value protection levels. Field surveys confirmed differences in plant community composition and diversity between these zones, while a spatial-econometric model validated the partitioning approach. This study provides actionable insights for managing heritage sites and establishes a methodological foundation for future OUV assessments.
Farming strategies of 1st millennium CE agro-pastoralists on the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains: A geoarchaeological and macrobotanical investigation of the Mohuchahangoukou (MGK) site, Xinjiang, China
Ancient agro-pastoralists in the arid foothills of China's Tianshan Mountains ingeniously adapted to extreme conditions by constructing stone-built irrigation systems that trapped floodwater and sediment, enabling crop cultivation. This study reveals their ability to accumulate up to 40 cm of fine-grained sediment over just 200 years, creating deeper, fertile soils in an otherwise barren landscape. However, high soil salinization (>2 dSm-1) suggests this strategy may have limited long-term sustainability. The research combines geoarchaeological analysis with macrobotanical identification to uncover these farming innovations and the labor specialization required to balance irrigation and herding demands.
Remotely-Sensed Identification of a Transition for the Two Ecosystem States Along the Elevation Gradient: A Case Study of Xinjiang Tianshan Bogda World Heritage Site
Researchers have identified a critical transition zone between montane coniferous forests and alpine meadows at the Xinjiang Tianshan Bogda World Heritage Site, occurring within the elevation range of 2690–2744 meters. This demarcation point, pinpointed at 2714 meters, marks where abrupt shifts in ecosystem states become more pronounced with increasing elevation, characterized by higher land surface temperatures (LST). The study leveraged remotely-sensed data and potential analysis to confirm the existence of two distinct ecological states using statistical criteria like Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC), validated further through field surveys and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data. This approach advances the understanding of elevation-driven ecosystem transitions in mountainous regions, offering a precise method for identifying alpine treelines—a key indicator of climate-vegetation interactions.
The correlation between airborne Betula pollen content and meteorological factors in the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China
A five-year study in the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China, revealed that airborne Betula pollen dynamics are significantly influenced by meteorological factors. The research found that pollen concentration peaks advanced annually, correlating with rising temperatures, while precipitation negatively impacted birch growth. Pollen traps at three sites—Tianchi, Fukang, and Beishawo—showed distinct temporal patterns, with Tianchi exhibiting the strongest link between pollen content and climate variables. These findings suggest that Betula pollen records can serve as indicators of past climate change and human activity, offering insights for ecological studies in the region.
The Southeasterly Gale in Tianshan Grand Canyon in Xinjiang, China: A Case Study
A severe southeasterly gale, the strongest recorded in Xinjiang over 20 years, was triggered by complex interactions between large-scale atmospheric conditions and the Tianshan Grand Canyon's topography. On June 8, 2013, wind speeds reached up to 30 m/s with gusts lasting over 24 hours, causing significant impact on Urumchi. The study reveals that topographic forcing from the Tianshan Mountains intensified the pressure gradient across the canyon, creating a critical zero-wind layer and unstable stratification. This non-linear process, activated by air currents moving through the canyon, led to the gale's formation and intensification. Numerical simulations and observations confirmed these mechanisms, providing insights into the dynamics of orographic wind events in mountainous regions.
Differential Exhumation and Crustal Tilting in the Easternmost Tianshan (Xinjiang, China), Revealed by Low‐Temperature Thermochronology
A new study on the easternmost Tianshan, part of China's Xinjiang region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals that this area has experienced two distinct phases of rapid cooling during the Mesozoic era—specifically in the Early to Middle Triassic and Late Cretaceous periods. These cooling events are linked to distant tectonic activities, such as the closure of the Paleoasian Ocean and the Mongol Okhotsk orogeny, rather than more recent Cenozoic collisions like that of India with Eurasia. The research utilized apatite fission track and (U-Th-Sm)/He thermochronology to demonstrate fault-controlled differential exhumation and block tilting across the region. This finding suggests that the easternmost Tianshan's geological history is dominated by older Mesozoic tectonic events, rather than Cenozoic reactivation.
New Apatite Fission‐Track Ages of the Western Kuqa Depression: Implications for the Mesozoic–Cenozoic Tectonic Evolution of South Tianshan, Xinjiang
Researchers have identified four distinct pulses of tectonic exhumation in the South Tianshan region, spanning from the Early Cretaceous to the late Miocene. Using apatite fission-track dating on 12 sandstone samples from the Kapushaliang section in the western Kuqa Depression, the study reveals peak exhumation events at 112 and 105 Ma (Early Cretaceous), 67 Ma (Late Cretaceous), 60, 53, and 36 Ma (Paleocene–Eocene), and 23 and 14 Ma (early Oligocene to late Miocene). These findings challenge previous reconstructions by highlighting a differential uplift in the Kuqa Depression during the late Cenozoic, with exhumation in the western segment occurring later than in the eastern segment. The study links these tectonic events to significant geological processes, including the docking of the Lhasa block and the far-field effects of the India–Eurasia collision.
Preliminary study on pollen distribution in the surface soil of the Turpan region in the southern slope of Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China
A preliminary study on pollen distribution in the Turpan region, located on the southern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China, reveals distinct pollen assemblages that correspond to major vegetation types. The research identified four pollen assemblage zones—mountain desert-steppe and desert, Gobi gravel, typical desert, and salt mash vegetation—with notable differences compared to the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains. Unlike the northern slope, the Turpan region lacks typical forest and Artemisia desert pollen zones, with similar pollen zones found at elevations approximately 300 meters higher. The study also highlights the significant presence of tree pollen such as Picea and Pinus, suggesting that valley forests on the southern slope play a crucial role in pollen dispersal. This research employed modern pollen samples collected along an altitudinal gradient from 2,000 meters to -154 meters, using detrended correspondence analysis and redundancy analysis to examine distribution patterns.
Geochronology and geochemistry of volcanic rocks in the Arbasay Formation, Xinjiang Province (Northwest China): implications for the tectonic evolution of the North Tianshan
A new study challenges the long-held belief about the geological age of volcanic rocks in the Arbasay Formation, Xinjiang Tianshan. Using advanced geochronology techniques, including zircon U–Pb dating via LA-ICP-MS, researchers determined that these volcanic successions formed during the late Carboniferous period (308–305 Ma), not the early Permian as previously thought. The study also revealed that the rocks exhibit calc-alkaline geochemical signatures typical of continental arcs, enriched in LREEs and LILEs while depleted in HFSEs. This finding suggests that the volcanic activity was linked to the southward subduction of the North Tianshan Oceanic lithosphere rather than an intracontinental rift setting. The research integrates field mapping, petrography, and geochemical analysis to provide a refined understanding of the tectonic evolution in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Magnetic properties derived from a loess section at the northern piedmont of Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China, and their paleoenvironmental significance
A loess section in Xinjiang, China, reveals that magnetic properties are primarily influenced by paleowind intensity and pedogenesis, with ferrimagnetic components dominating the magnetic signal. Unlike the Chinese Loess Plateau, superparamagnetic fractions linked to pedogenesis are limited here, indicating caution when using magnetic susceptibility for paleoclimatic assessments. Instead, the χARM/SIRM ratio shows potential as an alternative index for weakly pedogenic degrees in this arid region.
Petrogenesis of magmatism in the Yandong region of Eastern Tianshan, Xinjiang: geochemical, geochronological, and Hf isotope constraints
A groundbreaking study reveals that the Yandong porphyry Cu deposit in Eastern Tianshan, Xinjiang, formed around 335 million years ago during a period of intense magmatic activity. The research, utilizing SHRIMP zircon U–Pb dating, geochemical analysis, and Hf isotope data, demonstrates that these magmatic rocks exhibit adakitic characteristics—high Al2O3, La/Yb ratios, and Sr contents, alongside low Y and HREE contents—suggesting their origin from the partial melting of a subducted oceanic slab. The study proposes that the Palaeo-Tianshan oceanic crust subducted northward beneath the Dananhu-Tousuquan arc belt during the early Carboniferous, with subsequent hybridization by peridotite in the mantle wedge playing a pivotal role in forming the deposit's relatively closed magma system.
Zircon ages and Hf isotopic compositions of plutonic rocks from the Central Tianshan (Xinjiang, northwest China) and their significance for early to mid-Palaeozoic crustal evolution
A new study on the Xinjiang Tianshan reveals significant crustal evolution during the early to mid-Palaeozoic era, marked by episodic juvenile crustal growth and reworking. The research, using zircon ages and Hf isotopic compositions from plutonic rocks, identifies distinct magmatic episodes: Early Ordovician (ca. 475–473 Ma) with mixed juvenile and crustal sources, Late Ordovician–Silurian (ca. 458–425 Ma) with two sub-episodes—one predominantly crustal and another juvenile—and Early to Mid-Devonian (ca. 410–393 Ma) with near-zero or negative εHf(t) values, suggesting complex mantle–crust interactions. The Late Devonian (ca. 368–361 Ma) granites, chemically similar to adakite but with low negative εNd(t) values, may indicate crustal delamination due to over-thickening. This study provides critical insights into the tectonic and magmatic processes shaping the Central Tianshan's crust.
Socioenvironmental Threats to Pastoral Livelihoods: Risk Perceptions in the Altay and Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang, China
A study of pastoral livelihoods in the Altay and Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang reveals that while fear of environmental crises is widespread, recently implemented conservation and development projects are ranked as greater concerns by local households. Using geostatistical and econometric methods, researchers analyzed data from 159 households to identify risk hot spots and prioritize policy interventions. The findings underscore the need for pastoral policies to support livestock economies and facilitate transitions to alternative livelihoods through skill training and new opportunities, particularly in high-risk areas.
Interactions between water-land resources and oasis urban development at the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China
Urban development in the arid and semi-arid regions of Xinjiang, China, particularly along the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains, is constrained by limited oasis areas and water-land resources. A study revealed that while urbanization levels and populations have increased, built-up areas have remained relatively stable due to these constraints. Water consumption rose with urban development but at a slower rate, indicating improved water use efficiency. The coupling degree between urban development and resource use emerged as a key indicator of comprehensive urban progress, with high coupling signifying advanced urbanization and sustainable resource management.
Transport of airborne Picea schrenkiana pollen on the northern slope of Tianshan Mountains (Xinjiang, China) and its implication for paleoenvironmental reconstruction
A five-year study on the northern slope of China's Tianshan Mountains reveals that Picea schrenkiana (spruce) pollen disperses extensively and transports widely, even in extreme arid regions. The research found that pollen dispersal peaks between mid-May and July, with sudden increases in desert areas likely due to wind re-suspending deposited grains. This phenomenon complicates paleoenvironmental reconstructions by introducing pollen concentration spikes unrelated to natural deposition processes. Additionally, the study links earlier pollen seasons and longer durations to climate change, noting a positive correlation between May-June temperatures and pollen production. The findings underscore the importance of accounting for wind-induced pollen resuspension in interpreting fossil records from arid regions.
A review of mineral systems and associated tectonic settings of northern Xinjiang, NW China
Northern Xinjiang, part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), hosts diverse and economically significant mineral systems shaped by complex tectonic processes. The CAOB, formed through the amalgamation of microcontinents, island arcs, and oceanic plates from Early Palaeozoic to Early Permian times, was later influenced by strike-slip movements and intraplate magmatism linked to mantle plume activity. This study reviews representative mineral deposits in the Tianshan, West and East Junggar, and Altay orogenic belts, including porphyry and epithermal systems, volcanogenic massive sulphides, skarn deposits, shear zone-hosted Au lodes, and Alaskan-style mafic–ultramafic intrusions. A notable belt of pegmatites in the Altay orogen also hosts world-class rare metal deposits, while roll-front sandstone-hosted U mineralisation adds to the region's rich mineral endowment. The research integrates geological and tectonic insights to highlight the dynamic processes underlying these deposits.
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