Publications
Extracting water body data based on SDWI and threshold segmentation: A case study in permafrost area surrounding Salt Lake in Hoh Xil, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China
Researchers demonstrate that the Sentinel-1 dual-polarized water index (SDWI), combined with threshold segmentation, is an effective and efficient method for extracting water body data in permafrost areas, particularly under cloudy conditions. Using SAR imagery from 22 August 2022, the study successfully mapped the Hoh Xil Salt Lake and its surrounding lakes on China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), where optical remote sensing was hindered by clouds. The findings highlight SDWI's superiority over single-polarized VV or VH images, offering a robust alternative for large-scale water monitoring in fragile ecosystems like the QTP. This approach mitigates cloud-related errors and supports environmental impact prediction and disaster mitigation efforts.
Permafrost characteristics and potential influencing factors in the lake regions of Hoh Xil, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Research on permafrost around large alpine lakes in the Hoh Xil region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau reveals that these lakes have only a marginal thermal effect on surrounding permafrost, with cold permafrost extensively developed and ground temperatures below −1.0℃. The study found significant differences in ground temperature between boreholes within and outside lake basins, attributing this to high soil water content. Latent heat effects play a crucial role in buffering permafrost temperature increases under climate warming, while salinity weakens thermal erosion effects. The findings suggest that permafrost thermal regimes are influenced by both altitude and soil water content, providing insights into the interaction between frozen ground, lakes, and the atmosphere.
Do Protected Areas Improve Ecosystem Services? A Case Study of Hoh Xil Nature Reserve in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Protected areas (PAs) significantly enhance ecosystem services, as demonstrated by a case study of the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve (HXNR) on China's Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The research found that HXNR's ecosystem service value (ESV) increased markedly after its designation as protected, contrasting with nearby non-protected areas where ESV declined due to urban expansion and desertification. Hotspot analysis revealed that HXNR's core zones were particularly effective in preserving ecosystem services. The study used remote sensing data, a modified benefit transfer method adjusted with NDVI, and hotspot analysis to compare ESV changes between 1980 and 2018. These findings underscore the critical role of PAs in mitigating environmental degradation and sustaining ecological benefits.
Map and Quantify the Ground Deformation Around Salt Lake in Hoh Xil, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Using Time-Series InSAR From 2006 to 2018
Significant ground deformation around the Salt Lake in Qinghai Hoh Xil, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, was detected using time-series InSAR from 2006 to 2018. Before the 2011 outburst of Zhuonai Lake, deformation rates were minimal (-5 to 5 mm/year). However, post-2014, deformation intensified dramatically, reaching up to -25 mm/year by 2018, correlating with rapid lake expansion and rising water levels. The study employed ENVISAT and Sentinel-1A SAR data, utilizing distributed scatterers and a temperature-related linear deformation model to quantify permafrost instability. Findings underscore the potential hazards of permafrost melting in this region, highlighting time-series InSAR as a critical tool for monitoring environmental changes.
Bacterial community in cold and alkaline environments of Hoh Xil basin in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and isolation of potential sources of microbiota
Research on the bacterial communities in the Hoh Xil basin, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, reveals distinct microbial diversity across cold and alkaline environments. The study identified 10 strains of bacteria, predominantly Pseudomonas (90.8%), with one strain, k9, showing optimal growth at high pH (10.0) and low temperature (5°C), along with the ability to produce multiple extracellular enzymes under alkaline and cold conditions. This suggests potential psychrophilic and alkaliphilic bacteria with biotechnological applications. The study used both culture-dependent and independent methods to analyze desert soil, saline-alkali land, saline-alkali wetland, and soda lake sediment samples, highlighting the unique microbial adaptations in this extreme environment.
Prevalence and Parasite Composition of Gastrointestinal Parasites in the Endangered Tibetan Antelope (Pantholops Hodgsonii) from the Calving Ground of Hoh Xil Nature World Heritage Site, Qinghai, China
A comprehensive survey of gastrointestinal parasites in the endangered Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) on its calving grounds at Qinghai Hoh Xil revealed widespread and diverse parasite infections. The study found that 93% of fecal samples tested positive for nematodes, 36% for cestodes, and an astonishing 99% for coccidian oocysts, with an average of 3.4 parasite species per individual. Coinfections involving five parasite genera were detected in 19% of samples, highlighting the complex parasitic burden faced by this vulnerable species. The high prevalence of Trichostrongylus, Marshallagia, and Eimeria infections suggests these parasites pose significant long-term risks, particularly as climate change increases warmth and moisture in the region. Researchers analyzed 238 fecal samples collected in July 2018 using flotation techniques to identify eggs, oocysts, and nematode larvae, providing critical baseline data for monitoring future health trends.
A wild yak survey in Chang Tang of Tibet Autonomous Region and Hoh Xil of Qinghai Province
Recent surveys reveal that the population of wild yaks (Bos grunniens) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has increased since the 1990s, with estimates ranging from 11,222 to 21,072 individuals in Chang Tang, Tibet, and 659 to 1,793 in Hoh Xil, Qinghai. Despite this growth, the distribution area of wild yaks is shrinking due to climate change and intensifying human activities. The study, conducted between 2012 and 2014 using field data and published literature, highlights the need for stronger conservation actions to protect this endemic species in one of China's most ecologically significant regions.
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