In this study, the characteristics of evapotranspiration and its influencing factors from 2007 through 2013 were studied by using micro-lysimeter relying on the Tangula Station of State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The main conclusion are: (1) there had been an evapotranspiration increasing from 2007 through 2013 during the grass growing season; (2) the total evapotranspiration quantity in the middle growth stage had been the maximum while in the early growth stage had been the minimum, but the average daily evapotranspiration in the early growth stage had been the maximum, while in the later growth stage had been the minimum; (3) the evapotranspiration had been mainly controlled by the net radiation in the absence of precipitation and had been mainly affected by wind speed, and then by radiation.

In this paper, the three-stage optical Landsat-8 OLI remote sensing imagery from March to September in 2016 were acquired, which covered the Tomur-Khan Tengri area in the western Tianshan Mountains. The flow velocity distribution on the South Inylchek Glacier, extracted by the spectral normalized cross-correlation algorithm, was analyzed for its temporal/spatial variation characteristics during the ablation period. The result showed that the maximum flow velocity up to ~55 cm·d^-1 could be observed in the upper part of the glacier during the ablation period of 2016. Due to the impact of both less ice mass supply and increasing debris cover on the glacier surface, the velocity was smallest at the terminus. During the whole ablation period, the flow velocity of glacier trunk was in between 20 cm·d^-1 and 50 cm·d^-1, with an average of about 35 cm·d^-1. Moreover, on the contrary to the decreasing velocity in the lower part of the glacier, the velocity in the upper part of the glacier had been increasing from 9 March to 17 Sept. 2016. In conclude, compared with the earlier studies, the glacier flow velocity has slowed down and the terminus has retreated obviously.

Runoff in Xinjiang mainly comes from snow melt water and precipitation in the mountain regions. With global warming, glaciers and snow-capped mountains have been shrinking, which directly impact the mountain runoff and surrounding ecosystem. Due to the difference in geographical environment, the response of runoff to climate change is different from place to place in the south slopes of the Tianshan Mountains. Based on hydrological data (1956—2012) of the Qingshuihe River and Alagou River, the trend, mutation, variation period of the runoff and its response to climate change in the study watershed were analyzed using the methods of Mann-Kendall method and crossover wavelet transform. The results are as followed. Seasonal distribution of runoff is not uniform, with summer runoff accounting for more than half of the annual runoff in the Qingshuihe River and Alagou Rive. The annual runoff has been increasing significantly. The hydrological process had a turning point in 1988. After 1988, runoff in the Qingshuihe River has been in abundance state and the runoff in the Alagou River has increased significantly too, especially in 1996, owing to superposition of more precipitation and higher temperature. The annual runoff shows periodic change with various time scales, of which the main period is more than 32-year, and the small periods are 2-year or 8-year. There are some regional differences in response degree of mountain runoff to precipitation and temperature in the Qingshuihe River and Alagou River. The mountain runoff of the Qingshuihe River is more sensitive to precipitation change than that of Alagou River. The annual runoff variation of the Alagou River is controlled by temperature. The Alagou River runoff exhibits sensitivity to temperature higher than that in the Qingshuihe River. Owing to glacial runoff regulation and permafrost degradation, annual runoff process in the Alagou River shows a lag more than that in the Qingshuihe River.

According to the literature review, field investigations and the latest taxonomy on geological relics issued by the Ministry of Land and Resources in 2016, the geological relics of the geological park at Mt. Yulong were classified into several types. Additionally, the methods of Analytic Hierarchy Process and Comprehensive Assessment are also applied for the evaluation of sub-classified geoheritages. Accordingly, the geoheritages in the park can be classified into five categories, including geological profile, geological structure, physiognomy landscape, environment geological relics and water landscape, 9 classes and 15 subclasses. Moreover, the weight of evaluation factor decreased in the following order: Cultural attribute > Natural quality, Scientific value = Popular science value > Aesthetic value > Economic and social value > Typical > Rarity > Systematicness > Historical and cultural value > Naturalness. In addition, the subclass geological relic resources were divided into three grades, including 4 in Level I, 8 in Level II and 3 in Level III. Generally, the geological relics in national geopark at Mt. Yulong was characterized by multi-types and well preserved. It also recognized that fluvial geomorphology and tectonic landform are predominant in the park, and the most typical geological relics belong to the glacial landforms. The geoheritages with rich types are of high quality and great significance for scientific research and popularization, particularly for the geoscience research. Moreover, the evaluation of geoheritages in Mt. Yulong Geopark can provide a basis and reference for reasonable protection and sustainable uses of the geological relic resources.

On July 15, 2016, 16 stakes were set up on the surface of the Baishui Glacier No.1 in Yulong Snow Mountain, in order to establish a network for survey glacial movement velocity Handheld difference GPS, TrimbleGeoXT, was used to survey the positions of these stakes. The displacement data of these stakes, from July to October in 2016, were collected and analyzed. The results show that: (1) in a transverse profile the velocity of glacier flow was larger in the mainstream line than that in both sides; in a longitudinal profile, the velocity of glacier flow gradually decreased  from the terminus to the firn basin, which was different with general mountain glaciers; in the direction of glacier movement, the velocity vector is mostly moving down along the mainstream line or slightly off the mainstream line; (2) the flow velocity of the glacier was not synchronized with the change of the ablation speed of the glacier, having a lag; (3) the strongly developed ice crevasses divided the ice bodies, affecting the overall flow of the glacier and making the flow of the glacier more special; (4) the retreat speed of the glacier terminal will continue to accelerate and the retreat  trend will continue.

Based on the similarity theory of model test in geomechanics, water, gypsum, cement, river sand were mixed in a certain proportion to make similar model. The porosity of the similar model changed with the particle size of the river sand. Five similar shale materials with different porosities were produced and the porosity of similar shale materials was measured by saturation method. The five kinds of similar shale materials were subjected to freeze-thaw cycles. The uniaxial compression tests and triaxial compression tests were performed on the similar shale materials without freeze-thaw cycles and with freeze-thaw cycles. The experimental research shows that after freeze-thaw cycles, the uniaxial compressive strength, triaxial compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, cohesion and internal friction angle of the similar shale materials have reduced; the porosity and Poisson's ratio have increased to some extent compared with those before freeze-thaw cycles. With the increase of porosity, the influence of freeze-thaw cycles on shale similar materials increases first and then decreases. When the porosity is 9.4%~13.6%, the similar shale materials are most affected by freeze-thaw cycles. When the porosity is 5.8%~9.4%, the influence of the freeze-thaw cycles on shale similar materials increases with porosity. When the porosity is 13.9%~19.1%, the influence of freeze-thaw cycles on shale similar materials decreases with the increase of porosity. The research results can provide scientific basis for the construction of geotechnical engineering and disaster reduction in western cold regions. 

Glacier is an important surface water resources in Northwest China. However, due to lack of measured glacier ice thickness data, the ice reserve estimation of glacier has varying degree of indeterminacy. In May of 2015, ice thickness of the Meikuang Glacier on the Eastern Kunlun Mountains was sounded by a pulse EKKO PRO Ground Penetrating Radar system (with a 100 MHz antenna), with five short transversal profiles and one long longitudinal profile. Based on the GPR data, GPS position of the sounding point, SRTM DEM data (30 meters) and Landsat8 OLI image in 2015, the Meikuang Glacier was seperated a sounded area from the whole glacier field. Ice thickness contour map was drawn by Ordinary Kriging method and ice reserve was calculated by integration of thickness and boundary distribution data under the support of GIS technology. The sounding showed that the maximum thickness was 87 meters at 4 952 meters elevation, near to the main flow line. It was found that in 2015 the glacierized area, average thickness and total ice reserve of the glacier was 0.95 km², 25.77 meters and 0.0242 km³, respectively. Based on raster map of the glacier surface and ice thickness, the topography of glacier bed was obtained. The results show that the glacier is wide in the upper part and narrow along the valley, and the glacier bed is complex. In the area with larger thickness, the topography has near V-shape, showing the morphological characteristics of cirque glacier. 

Based on the frost damage of Qinghai Lake section of the Qinghai - Tibet Railway, this paper analyzes the causes of frost damage of the subgrade from three aspects, namely, water, temperature and soil by selecting the typical frost damage section in the seasonal frozen soil area. According to the grouting and salt injection method applied maturely in the treatment of subgrade disease, the method of remedying subgrade disease by drilling and injecting salt has been put forward in this paper. Furthermore, the effectiveness of this method can be tested by observing field frost heave. The results show that the damage of the subgrade of the lake section is mainly due to the existence of a layer of low-liquid and low-permeability silty clay in the subgrade soil, the clay content and water content of which is high with the maximum depth of 1.5 meters, the freezing of silty clay causes the subgrade to freeze. Combined with the site test, reasonable construction suggestions on the amount of salt and its composition, construction technology and parameters have been proposed. On-site frost heave monitoring shows that the amount of frost heave of the road section which has been drilled and injected salt is significantly reduced. Thus, it can be used for remediation of the frost damage of subgrade in the seasonal frozen soil area.

Based on the observation within the active layer beneath different alpine ecosystems, including alpine grassland, alpine swamp meadow and alpine meadow, in Beiluhe area on the Tibetan Plateau, the thermal-moisture dynamics were studied. The results show that the differences are evident about the aspects such as active layer depth, initial times and duration of freeze and thaw, and spatial moisture distribution. Beneath alpine grassland, the active layer has deepest depth, earliest initial thawing and the longest duration of thawing among the all three types of ecosystems，following by that beneath alpine swamp meadow and then by alpine grassland. Beneath the alpine grassland water content within the active layer increases from the top to the bottom, most of the water concentrates in the middle lower part. Beneath alpine swamp meadow water content is relatively even. Beneath alpine swamp meadow water content gradually reduces from top to bottom, and the closer to surface the larger the soil moisture content is. Further analysis of the monitoring data finds that there are obvious differences in ground surface temperature and air temperature, organic material content, n-factor and the statistical characteristics of standard deviation on near surface temperature among various alpine ecosystems. The study indicates that the thermal-moisture dynamics are closely related to the alpine ecosystem which affects the near surface energy fluxes and makes difference in the earth-atmosphere heat exchange and then changes the temperature and moisture characteristics of the active layer. 

Tibet autonomous region is located on the Tibetan Plateau, where frequently occurs meteorological disasters, significantly impacting the local agriculture, animal husbandry, ecological environment. The frequent occurrence of meteorological disasters is especially harmful to the sensitive areas, such as agriculture and animal husbandry, and ecological environment. Therefore, based on the historical meteorological disaster events, it is of great significance to carry out a study of the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics and changing trend of meteorological disasters in Tibet Autonomous Region, which can be used for meteorological disaster prediction and disaster prevention and mitigation. In this paper, the annual, monthly and spatial distribution characteristics of drought, snow, frost, hail and flood disasters are analyzed through collecting information of agricultural meteorological disasters and losses in the region from 1983 through 2013. The results are as follows. In terms of temporal distribution, the frequency of the agrometeorological disaster had presented an increasing trend from 1983 to 1995.

After 1995, it has changed to stationary. Drought had occurred mostly from March to June. The snowstorm had occurred throughout the year. Frost mostly had occurred in spring and early autumn. Hail and rain flood disasters had characterized of strong seasonality. They almost all had occurred from June to September in summer. In terms of spatial distribution, southern Tibet had been a high incidence area of agricultural meteorological disasters. Drought disasters had occurred mostly in the mid-eastern Xigaze Prefecture and the northern Lhoka Prefecture. The snowstorms had easy appeared widely in Nagqu Prefecture, Ali Prefecture and the southern edge of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The influence scope of frost disaster had been the least, which had occurred only in some eastern and southern areas. Hail disasters had showed zonal distribution, which had occurred mostly in the Yarlung Zangbo River basin. Storm flood disasters had been prone to occur in the mid-eastern valley areas. This research has great significance to the regional agricultural disaster prevention and mitigation.

A typical slope of the permafrost regions was divided into three slope positions: the low (L), middle (M) and high (H) parts. The vegetation coverage of 92%, 60% and 30% for each slope position were selected as study objects to determine the soil water infiltration process by double ring infiltration apparatus. The environmental factors,which impact the process of soil infiltration, were analyzed and model simulation had done based on soil physical properties and soil water. The results showed that the soil water infiltration of different vegetation coverage in the study area had obvious difference during the freezing and thawing process of the active layer, and the initial soil water content had a good negative correlation with the initial infiltration rate. The stable infiltration rate was: vegetation coverage of 92% (0.61 mm min^-1) > vegetation coverage of 60% (0.50 mm min^-1) > vegetation coverage of 30% (0.29 mm min^-1) during the period of active layer thawing, and vegetation coverage of 60% (0.56 mm min^-1) > vegetation coverage of 30% (0.39 mm min^-1) > vegetation coverage of 92% (0.26 mm min^-1) during the beginning period of active layer freezing. The soil water infiltration rate had a significant difference among slope positions and was closely related to the freezing-thaw cycle, mainly reflected in that the infiltration rate decreased with the slope position downwards; the infiltration rate during the beginning period of freezing was less than that during the thawing period on the same slope position. During the whole infiltration stage, the cumulative infiltration at the slope top was the maximum, showing a better infiltration performance. The environmental factors influencing the infiltration of alpine meadow soil were bulk density, organic matter content and particle size. It was concluded that in the source regions of the Yangtze River the general empirical model f(t)=a+bt^-n is more suitable for the period of active layer thawing to study soil water infiltration in alpine meadow in the study area, while the Horton model f(t)=i_c+(i₀-i_c)e^-kt is more suitable for the beginning period of active layer freezing. 

Shi Yafeng and Xie Zichu have classified the contemporary glaciers of China into ultra-continental glacier, sub-continental glacier and maritime glacier. This classification has been widely accepted and applied because it accords with the essential characteristics of Chinese glaciers. Recently, Professor Jing Cairui proposes a new term, “ultra-maritime glacier”, to support the hypothesis of glaciations of the East China, meaning that even if the regular glaciers were not present on the middle-lower mountains in East China during Quaternary, there would existed a special kind of glaciers that were more warm and more humid than maritime glaciers. It is difficult to think such glacier is present in the world, because the term “maritime glaciers” contains all the glaciers with 0 ℃ temperate ice and it is impossible for water to crystallize into glacial ice under the temperature higher than 0 ℃ even more precipitation. So the concept “ultra-maritime glacier” is invalid. In addition, a lot of studies on Quaternary environment have indicated that in ice ages, continental shelf exposed extensively, the winter monsoon was dominant forced by the intensified Siberia-Mongolia high pressure. So the climate shifted to drier and the maritime climate was weakened during ice ages in the East China.