Amidst the accelerating activation of polar cryosphere tipping points due to global warming， significant challenges must be overcome to understand their state and changes， including sparse observations， insufficient physical knowledge， and limitations of traditional model simulations. Artificial Intelligence （AI） provides a powerful tool for efficiently extracting information from vast polar datasets and bridging cognitive gaps. This paper summarizes notable progress by Chinese researchers in AI applications for the polar cryosphere： \mathrm{①} Sea ice forecasting: purely data-driven deep learning models (e.g., SICNet, SIPNet) have been developed, significantly improving weekly, monthly, and seasonal-scale forecasts of Arctic/Antarctic sea ice concentration. Some models incorporate physical constraints and outperform traditional dynamical and statistical models. Various methods (e.g., improved U-Net, EW-Net, SAC-Net, and PMDRnet) have been proposed for sea ice type identification, lead extraction, sea ice thickness relationship modeling, and enhancing the spatial resolution of passive microwave imagery. \mathrm{②} Ice sheet surface hydrology: Applied Random Forest (RF) and BP neural networks were applied to estimate surface melt of the Greenland Ice Sheet and identify supraglacial lakes. An improved U-Net model was used to automatically extract surface water bodies of the Antarctic ice sheet/ice shelf with high accuracy, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional NDWI methods. \mathrm{③} Subglacial systems: A novel method based on Variational Autoencoders (VAE) and unsupervised clustering was used to automatically detect subglacial lakes from ice-penetrating radar data, thereby improving efficiency and accuracy. \mathrm{④} Crevass identification: Improved U-Net and its variants (e.g., ResUNet) were applied to automatically extract surface crevasse distributions on Antarctic ice shelves from SAR and optical imagery. \mathrm{⑤} Ice stratigraphy and topography: Deep learning (e.g., EisNet and ST-SOLOv2) was employed to automatically extract internal isochronous layers and bedrock interfaces from radargrams, aiming to solve this long-standing manual bottleneck. \mathrm{⑥} Other applications include: Mass balance reconstruction of covered ice sheets (fusing multi-source data with SVM/BPNN), radiation balance dataset construction (RF), near-surface air temperature inversion (RF/DNN), ice shelf basal channel identification (improved U-Net), intelligent classification of glacial seismic events (autoencoders and Gaussian mixture models), GPS data interpolation, tropospheric delay modeling, and identification of geological structures. Although Chinese polar cryosphere AI research began relatively late, it has developed rapidly and yielded fruitful results, demonstrating significant potential in data-driven modeling, automated feature extraction, and multisource information fusion. Current challenges include model interpretability, insufficient integration of physical mechanisms, scarcity of high-quality labeled data, and limited generalization ability in complex regions. Future efforts should focus on developing physically constrained AI models, advancing multimodal learning, enhancing model robustness and interpretability, and strengthening international collaboration and data-sharing to more accurately characterize polar cryosphere changes and support global climate response and risk assessment.

Studying the supply-demand relationship of ecosystem services and implementing zoned management are crucial for reconciling ecological protection with socioeconomic development in ecologically fragile regions. This study takes Naiman Banner, a typical sandy land area in Northern China, as a case study. We quantified the supply of key ecosystem services (e.g., water yield, carbon sequestration, and soil conservation) from 2000 to 2020 using the InVEST model, while the demand was assessed based on socioeconomic data. Spatiotemporal patterns were analyzed using hotspot-cold spot analysis, and the driving mechanisms behind the comprehensive ecosystem service supply-demand ratio were investigated using the GeoDetector model. The results revealed three key findings. First, over the two decades, the overall supply capacity of ecosystem services in Naiman Banner increased by 19.81%, whereas the demand decreased by 11.09%. Consequently, the overall supply-demand ratio improved significantly by 39.73%, indicating a substantial enhancement in ecological sustainability. Spatially, the comprehensive supply-demand ratio exhibited a distinct pattern of ‘surplus in the north and south with a deficit in the center’, primarily shaped by the regional landscape configuration and the intensity of human activities. Second, factor detection identified that the proportion of forest land was the primary driver of hotspot areas (high supply-demand ratio), underscoring the critical role of afforestation and forest conservation. Conversely, the proportion of sandy land was identified as the core driver of cold spot areas (low supply-demand ratio), highlighting the impact of desertification. Third, based on an integrated analysis of the comprehensive supply-demand ratio, its spatial matching relationship, and the proportional areas of hotspots and cold spots, a systematic ecological management zoning scheme was developed. Naiman Banner was categorized into six secondary and ten tertiary zones, which were classified into four major types: ecological conservation, ecological restoration, ecological enhancement, and ecological development. Targeted and differentiated management strategies were proposed for each zone. This research provides a scientific basis for precise ecological protection and sustainable socio-economic development in Naiman Banner, offering a replicable framework for similar arid and semi-arid regions.

To improve the accuracy of monitoring land gravelization and the efficiency of fieldwork, and further promote the innovation of monitoring methods, a study on the appropriate size and quantity of quadrats was conducted. This study examines the desert region of Inner Mongolia and uses the entropy TOPSIS and Wilcoxon rank sum test methods to determine the optimum sampling scheme for land gravelization monitoring. Based on results using 100 cm×100 cm quadrats as the true values of gravel coverage and surface gravel mass per unit area, new survey areas in the desert regions of Inner Mongolia were selected, and the maximum quadrat was expanded to 200 cm×200 cm to increase the sampling areas and number of quadrats, and optimize the sampling scheme for monitoring land gravelization. The comparative results of the two experiments show that: \mathrm{①} Q25 exhibits good advantages for monitoring suitability, which can improve field work efficiency while ensuring measurement accuracy; \mathrm{②} the appropriate quantity and sizing of quadrats vary significantly with changes in the maximum quadrat size; however, for Q25, the change in appropriate quantity (from 9 to 10) is non-significant, indicating good stability; \mathrm{③} using Q25, the appropriate coverage for monitoring gravelization is consistent with the results from monitoring surface gravel mass per unit area; this not only simplifies the monitoring process, but also ensures the reliability and comparability of monitoring data.

In 2023, the Naiman trona deposit in Inner Mongolia was discovered, representing the second-largest trona deposit in the world and the largest in Asia, with proven trona resources estimated at approximately 2.077 billion tons. This discovery presents a significant opportunity for the restructuring of China’s soda ash industry. The global and domestic development status of trona was comprehensively reviewed, highlighting the necessity for China’s soda ash industry to significantly increase its reliance on trona to enhance its international competitiveness. Considering the distinctive geological characteristics and resource distribution of the Naiman trona deposit, characterized by high associated oil and gas reserves, co-occurrence with salt and soda, deep burial, and steep inclination, three major engineering challenges were posed during the development process. \mathrm{①} Hydrocarbons are enriched within the crystal lattices and fracture networks of trona and halite layers, as well as within the pore spaces and bedding fractures of the surrounding mudstone, resulting in severe oil emulsification during solution mining. \mathrm{②} Nearly half of the Naiman trona deposit is composed of low-to-moderate salinity trona, for which cost-effective and high-efficiency salt-soda separation technologies have yet to be developed. \mathrm{③} The engineering complexity of horizontal well construction is markedly increased by deep burial depth, steep formation dip, and the presence of funnel-shaped structural blocks. Future research should prioritize the development of high-performance and environmentally benign demulsifiers, the integrated and coordinated utilization of co-occurring salt and soda resources, and high-precision horizontal well construction technologies enabled by multidisciplinary integration, thereby supporting the efficient and sustainable exploitation of the Naiman trona deposit.

The Division Ⅴ (Atmospheric Sciences Discipline) of the Department of Earth Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), has successfully completed the application, mail review, panel review, and funding results summary for the General Program, Young Scientists Fund (C), and Fund for Less Developed Regions in 2025. The total number of applications for the above three types of projects in the discipline of atmospheric sciences from 2020 to 2025 has shown a continuous increase trend. Among them, a total of 2, 436 applications are received in 2025, showing an increase of 5.4% compared with 2024. The comprehensive scores of the mail reviews for these three types of projects have slightly decreased compared with previous years. To encourage high-risk and high-value fundamental research and explore the selection and funding model for the “non-consensus projects”, the Atmospheric Sciences Discipline has, for the first time, nominated the “non-consensus projects” to undergo the panel review process. Considering the overall layout of the discipline, it is encouraged to moderately tilt towards the Supporting Technology and development fields (secondary application codes D0508 to D0514). Under the equal conditions, preference is given to female applicants. After the panel review, the Atmospheric Science Discipline has funded a total of 419 projects in the above three categories, with an average funding rate of 17.2%. In 2024, a total of 383 projects of these three types are concluded, and the indicators such as the number of publications is basically the same as those in 2023.

Aufeis (icings) are unique cryohydrological features in frozen ground regions, acting as critical solid-water reservoirs by freezing and storing a substantial portion (up to 40%) of the winter baseflow in some basins. Ecologically, they also serve as keystone habitats that provide crucial unfrozen overwintering refugia for cryophilic fish and other aquatic organisms. Concurrently, their formation and evolution pose significant geohazards to engineering infrastructure such as roads, bridges, tunnels, and culverts. In the context of global warming, a synthesis of both long-term in-situ and remote sensing observations confirms that icings are undergoing significant degradation, characterized by shrinking areas, accelerated melt rates, and fragmentation of perennial ice bodies. However, the mechanisms governing their formation and evolution, as well as their broader impacts on eco-hydrological processes and sustainable development in these regions, remain inadequately understood. This study comprehensively reviews the current understanding of icing formation, distribution, and controlling factors (e.g., geology, climate, and permafrost). It traces the evolution of research methodologies, from foundational field surveys and historical mapping to modern approaches combining satellite remote sensing (e.g., NDSI and machine learning) and geophysical techniques (e.g., GPR, ERT, and NMR). This review also highlights the eco-hydrological and hazard-related impacts of changes in ice-riving. We further discuss future research directions, noting a shift in focus, from the broad river systems of the Arctic and subarctic regions to understudied areas such as High Mountain Asia. Future research priorities are identified, calling for a paradigm shift from two-dimensional spatial monitoring towards integrated, three-dimensional quantitative analysis and prediction. Key frontiers include: \mathrm{①} elucidating the fundamental physical mechanisms of icing formation through coupled modeling; \mathrm{②} leveraging artificial intelligence to combine multi-source data (e.g., satellite, UAV, geophysical) for accurate estimation of icing volume; \mathrm{③} quantifying the cascading impacts of icing degradation on geomorphology and ecosystems; and \mathrm{④} developing robust predictive models for water resource management and geohazard mitigation related to icing evolution. Such advancements are crucial for providing the robust scientific basis needed for sustainable development in Earth’s rapidly changing cold regions.

This paper systematically analyzes the application, acceptance, evaluation, and funding of the projects managed by the Geochemistry Discipline (Application Code: D03) in the Department of Earth Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2025, and reviews the project completion in 2024. Compared with 2024, the number of applications for the Fund for the Less Developed Regions increased in 2025, while the General Program and Young Scientists Fund (C) showed a slight decrease. For two consecutive years, the number of applications for the Young Scientists Fund (C) has been significantly lower than that of the General Program. In the past five years, the total number of host institutions applying for projects has kept increasing continuously, and Earth’s surface geochemistry (D0310) has become a new growth point of the discipline. In 2025, four projects in the Geochemistry discipline were not accepted due to failure to provide required supporting materials. The review submission rates of the General Program, Young Scientists Fund (C), and Fund for the Less Developed Regions were 154.7%, 154.7%, and 141.7%, respectively. The funding rates were 17.9%, 18.4%, and 11.1%, respectively. The average funding amounts were 531 000 yuan per project, 300 000 yuan per project, and 309 000 yuan per project, respectively. The completion outcomes of the General Program, Young Scientists Fund (C), and Fund for the Less Developed Regions in 2024, as well as the Young Scientists Fund (B) projects approved in 2021, indicate that the overall quality of funding achievements and first-labeled achievements needs further improvement. In recent years, the geochemistry discipline has remained characterized by a relatively small number of applications and slow growth. In the future, on the basis of maintaining the advantageous directions of the discipline, efforts should be made to strengthen the in-depth integration of basic research with goal orientation and national needs, and to promote interdisciplinary, cross-disciplinary, and transdisciplinary research, so as to expand both the depth and breadth of geochemistry research.

This paper analyzed the application, acceptance, and review funding overview of Marine Science and Polar Science (Application Code: D06) in 2025, summarized the project completion in 2024, and sorted out and proposed the problems found in the project management process. Overall, the number of applications for General Program, Less Developed Regions Fund, and Youth Science Fund Projects (C) continued to grow in 2025, with a total of 3 528 proposals and an increase of 337 proposals compared with 2024. The number of applying institutions was 467 with an increase of 58 compared with 2024. Regarding the completed projects, the standardization of the completion reports for projects completed at the end of 2024 has improved, but some projects still have problems such as inconsistent content between the published achievements and the research goals in the proposal, and insufficient condensation of major achievements.

Microbes are known to show a great spatiotemporal distribution, and exert extensive and intensive geological agents in both modern days and Earth history. These features make the microbes play important roles on great changes of Earth environments, enabling important and wide applications in geoengineering including the pollutant remediation, decrease of atmospheric CO₂, geohazards prevention, as well as toxicity decrease. This necessitates the cross-disciplinary construction from microbial Earth to microbial geoengineering.It is well known that microbes, the engineer of elemental geochemical cycles, have played the key roles in the geoengineering fields including carbon sink, ecological remediation and the agriculture practice. The carbon pump and the microbial carbon pump, the important mechanisms to transport the atmospheric CO₂ into the sediments or seawater, are documented to mainly regulate by the microbial communities either in the sea or on the land. Microbes are widely involved into, and known as the engineer of, the geochemical cycles of greenhouse gases including CH₄, CO₂ and N₂O. These microbial processes could be exploited in the geoengineering to promote the carbon sink or decrease the carbon release. Microbial transformation of a series of metal ions as well as the degradation on organics has been widely used in the ecological remediation of polluted environments. Microbial release of elements including carbon, nitrogen, phosphor etc., from a variety of minerals is applied in agriculture practice. The artificial microbial mixtures on the basis of natural communities could be used as the nature-based fertilizers in the farming practice. Microbial roles, played on the precipitation and erosion of minerals, could also be applied into rocks and soils engineering, deep Earth engineering and mining industry. The microbial application to these geoengineerings will greatly save the costs, remarkably promote efficiency and noticeably protect the natural environments. Microbial transformation of the expansive clay minerals into no-expansive ones could be applied into the oil recovery by water flooding as well as the rocks and soils geotechnical engineering. Carbonate factory is known to be primarily induced by microbial communities via the precipitation of calcium carbonate from the fluids which could be introduced into the building of artificial islands in the sea, the filling and repairing of rock cracks, cementation of coarse grains in a variety of geoengineering. Microbial erosion of minerals could be exploited into the mining industry via the release of metals of economic significance from ores. The presence of the so-called deep biosphere, featured by the dominance of extreme environment microbes, will exert positive and negative effects on the underground storage of dangerous materials including the nuclear wastes, CO₂ and hydrogen gas. The investigations on the microbial roles on these materials as well as the storage containers are of in particular importance.Whilst most microbial geoengineering has been conducted to prevent and control the geohazards that have come into being in natural environments, microbes could further provide the early warning of some geohazards including the biotic or ecological crisis, climatic and environmental disasters, as well as landslides due to their sensitive response to minor environmental changes. To construct the early warning geoengineering via the on-site filed observatory network is of importance so that we could take some measures to prevent the occurrence of the geohazards, or make the positive use of the microbial roles but suppress the negative roles.

The farming-pastoral zone in Naiman Banner is located in the hinterland of Horqin Sandy Land. The research on the formation mechanism and background values of groundwater hydrochemistry supports the allocation of water resources and the green development of agriculture and animal husbandry. Based on hydrogeological survey and hydrogeochemical analysis, combined with self-organizing map neural network (SOM) and K-means clustering hybrid algorithm, this study revealed the characteristics of groundwater chemical composition, main controlling factors, and environmental background values. Results indicated significant spatial heterogeneity in groundwater chemistry, with HCO₃-Ca·Mg as the predominant hydrochemical type and weakly alkaline characteristics. Groundwater chemical evolution is primarily driven by dissolution-precipitation of carbonate minerals and weathering of silicate minerals, and controlled by alternating positive cation adsorption. The apparent background values of Total Fe (TFe), F^-, TDS and NO₃-N, key indicators affecting the quality of groundwater in Naiman Banner, were 0.42~0.56 mg/L, 0.34~0.38 mg/L, 181~188 mg/L and 0.22~1.58 mg/L, respectively, which were estimated by using a coupled approach of hydrogeochemical graphic method, Grubbs test and SOM. The high background of TFe may be related to siderite dissolution, while the F^- enrichment is controlled by fluorite dissolution and alternating positive cation adsorption. This research elucidates the groundwater background values and hydrochemical formation mechanisms in the farming-pastoral zone of Naiman Banner, providing scientific support for the optimization management of regional water resources, pollution prevention, and ecological conservation.

Chinese Maifanite, a natural mineral from Naiman Banner,Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has potential applications in water purification, environmental remediation, healthcare, and agricultural improvement. Weathering processes alter the physicochemical properties of Maifanite, thereby influencing its heavy metal adsorption performance. This research systematically investigated Maifanite samples collected from different depths in the southern mountainous mining area of Naiman Banner, conducted comprehensive analyses including weathering degree assessment, heavy metal adsorption experiments, and prevention and control mechanism studies combining physicochemical characterization. The research reveals that Naiman Banner Maifanite primarily undergoes physical weathering. Based on macroscopic characteristics, Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), and weathering coefficient K_f , deep-layer samples were identified as slightly weathered, while surface samples exhibited moderate to strong weathering. Weathering increased the specific surface area of Maifanite by 66.81%, reduced pores smaller than 3.6 nm, and increased pores between 3.6~4.0 nm from 12.36% to 40.05%. Additionally, weathering caused the destruction of quartz and plagioclase crystals, leaching of alkaline elements (Na, Mg, Si, K, Ca). The zero potential point shifted markedly from 7.09 to below 2. Notably, deep-layer Maifanite demonstrated preferential adsorption toward anionic chromium (Cr)-a characteristic groundwater contaminant-with a maximum theoretical adsorption capacity of 0.90 mg/g. Conversely, surface-weathered Maifanite exhibited enhanced adsorption capacity for cationic cadmium (Cd)-a typical soil pollutant-reaching 5.57 mg/g. The adsorption process, comprising three distinct stages (surface diffusion, mesopore diffusion, and micropore diffusion), achieved equilibrium within 24 hours. Multilayer heavy metal adsorption mechanisms were predominantly governed by electrostatic interactions with additional contributions from surface hydroxyl complexation. In conclusion, natural geological weathering induces significant physicochemical modifications in Maifanite, including the observed zero potential point shift, which collectively enhance its capacity for comprehensive heavy metal prevention and control in both soil and groundwater systems. This research provides crucial theoretical foundations for the sustainable development and utilization of Naiman Banner Maifanite in groundwater purification applications.

Naiman Banner is located in an arid and semi-arid region and represents a typical agro-pastoral ecotone. Agricultural production in this area has long been constrained by complex natural conditions and the fragmented spatial distribution of cropland, resulting in an unclear understanding of the current state of farmland utilization. This, in turn, limits the region’s capacity for agricultural resource management and targeted policy implementation. Conducting an analysis of farmland utilization in Naiman Banner is therefore crucial for promoting high-quality agricultural development in agro-pastoral transitional zones and supporting the national food security strategy. In this study, Naiman Banner was selected as the research area. Based on Landsat 8 time-series imagery, the spatial distribution of major grain crops from 2020 to 2024 was extracted using the random forest method. Additionally, Jilin-1 high-resolution remote sensing imagery was used in combination with a multi-scale segmentation algorithm and the U-Net model to obtain cropland field parcels and road data for 2020 and 2024, respectively. On this basis, an evaluation index system for assessing the level of farmland infrastructure construction in the region was established. By integrating the extracted spatial distribution of major grain crops, this study focuses on analyzing the spatiotemporal patterns of major grain crops, the level of farmland infrastructure construction, and their interrelationship in Naiman Banner. Results showed a steady increase in the planting area of major grain crops over the five-year period, with a cumulative net growth of 22 673.46 hm², representing a 12.9% increase. Planting areas gradually shifted from general farmland to well-facilitated farmland. Meanwhile, agricultural infrastructure was continuously improved, with significantly higher development levels observed in well-facilitated farmland areas compared to general farmland. Further analysis revealed that regions with higher levels of agricultural infrastructure exhibited higher utilization rates of staple crops, demonstrating clear spatial consistency and a positive correlation. These findings provide provide technical support and decision-making references for regional agricultural resource management, optimization of infrastructure allocation, and food security assurance.

Statistical analysis was conducted on submission, acceptance, review and grant funding of various projects managed by Division of Environmental Geosciences, Department of Earth Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2025. Academic achievements of the completed projects in 2024 were partly summarized according to research subjects. This might provide enlightenment for potential project applicants.

In the context of global warming, the Tibetan Plateau (TP) has experienced pronounced “Tibetan Amplification (TA)” and exhibits a strong seasonal asymmetry in warming, with winter warming significantly exceeding that of other seasons and summer warming being the weakest. Existing studies indicate that near-surface warming over the TP is characterized by amplification, asymmetry, and Elevation-Dependent Warming (EDW) driven jointly by local processes and atmospheric circulation. This paper reviews key local mechanisms, such as snow-albedo feedback, water vapor, and cloud-radiation feedback, as well as the potential influence of cryospheric changes (e.g., Arctic sea ice loss) and Eurasian aerosol pattern changes on TP warming through the modulation of seasonal circulation anomalies. Recent studies based on observations, reanalysis data, and numerical simulations have revealed the complexity of these mechanisms. However, significant uncertainties remain regarding the data quality, quantitative methods, and remote forcing pathways. Future studies should focus on improving the data quality over the TP, refining quantification methods, and elucidating multilayer coupling and teleconnection processes to deepen our understanding of the seasonal asymmetry of warming on the TP.

National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) is the main funding institution of fundamental research in China. Geography (or Geographical science), as an important component of the Earth sciences, is a fundamental discipline that studies the patterns of spatial differentiation, temporal evolution processes, and interaction mechanisms of natural factors, human elements, geographic information, and geographic complexes. It mainly includes three sub-disciplines: human geography, physical geography, and information geography. The acceptance of grant project application, the review of proposals, and the evaluation of project reports for the geography discipline are centrally managed by the Division of Geography in the Department of Earth Science of NSFC. Here, We focus on three types of projects managed by the Division of Geography, namely the General, Young, and Rrgional Programs. This paper introduces the application and acceptance, review process, deliberation, and funding status of the three types of projects for the three major sub-disciplines of geography during the 2025 annual centralized acceptance period. A statistical analysis was conducted on the research outcomes of projects completed at the end of 2024, highlighting the main research advancements achieved by some selected projects. Additionally, the main issues identified in the project completion and progress reports were summarized.

Current limitations in typhoon forecasting are primarily attributed to insufficient understanding of mesoscale processes. To address this gap, this review synthesizes the current understanding of mesoscale waves in typhoons, including Vortex Rossby Waves (VRWs) and Typhoon-induced Gravity Waves (TGWs). It investigates their generation mechanisms and characteristics, and systematically examines the linkages between these waves and key typhoon structural features, including the eyewall, spiral rainbands, convective intensity, and (a) symmetric structure. Furthermore, the impact of these structural modifications on typhoon intensity is investigated, along with the statistical correlations between wave characteristics and typhoon intensity changes. The results show that: \mathrm{①} The theoretical frameworks for polygonal eyewall and inner spiral rainband formation have evolved from the TGW approach to that of VRWs. VRWs provide partial explanations for typhoon asymmetric structures and double-eyewall formation while representing one plausible mechanism for outer spiral rainbands. The changes in intensity induced by VRWs manifest through complex processes characterized by differing dynamical responses depending on (i) wave propagation directionality (tangential/radial), (ii) spatial domain (inner-core/outer region) and (iii) levels (mid-lower/upper) at (iv) different periods during the typhoon lifecycle phase (intensification/decay). \mathrm{②} The wave characteristics of TGWs (including amplitude, wavelength, period, and occurrence frequency) exhibit correlation with changes in typhoon intensity. TGWs, primarily excited by convection in the eyewall and spiral rainbands and rapidly propagating vertically, may serve as precursor signals for typhoon (rapid) intensification. \mathrm{③} Both VRWs and TGWs can drive the outward radial transport of momentum and heat within typhoons. Through wave-mean flow interactions, they modify local circulation and enhance typhoon symmetry, ultimately contributing to typhoon intensification (including rapid intensification). Some scientific challenges remain in applying VRWs and TGWs to improve fine-scale wind/precipitation distributions and advance the forecasting of changes in typhoon intensity. Current research underscores the necessity of integrating high-resolution numerical simulations with multi-platform coordinated observations to quantitatively analyze mesoscale wave-typhoon interactions, thereby identifying precursor signals for typhoon intensification, including rapid intensification. Tools such as wave spectrum analysis and wave energy flux diagnostics are instrumental in extracting early-warning indicators from both wave characteristics and energy transport perspectives. Advances in satellite and radar detection technologies will enable the validation of theoretical frameworks through multi-platform observational data, ultimately enhancing monitoring and forecasting capabilities for typhoon structural and intensity changes.

Dynamic changes in land use are vital for ecological balance and sustainable development. Based on the case of Naiman Banner in Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia, time-series remote sensing data were examined to monitor changes in land use and conduct spatiotemporal analysis to support the sustainable development of this region. Given the complexities of this agro-pastoral region, the seasonal characteristics of time-series satellite imagery were utilized to produce high-precision land use products. Based on which, this study analyzes the spatiotemporal changes in land use in Naiman Banner over the past 40 years and assesses the ecological impacts of various land use changes. The results indicate differentiated spatiotemporal characteristics in land use, with the northern region exhibiting trends of desertification recovery, urban expansion, and an increase in arable land, while the southern mountainous areas show a trend of returning farmland to grass and forest. Factor contribution analysis reveals that changes in agricultural land use, ecological recovery from desertification, and deceased surface water significantly affect soil moisture content in the area, underscoring the importance of water-saving agriculture, ecological restoration of sandy areas, and water resource protection for sustainable agricultural development. This study provides important data for land resource management in Naiman Banner and offers scientific evidence for sustainable development strategies in this region, facilitating the coordinated advancement of ecological environments and economic development.

The Horqin Sandy Lands, located in the ecologically sensitive transitional belt between semi-arid and semi-humid climatic zones, support a complex mosaic of ecosystems characterized by inherent vulnerability and represent one of the most severely desertified regions in northern China. Despite its environmental significance, comprehensive studies that systematically integrate the biogeographical mechanisms underlying desertification with rigorous assessments of control efficacy in this region remain notably scarce. The region's comparatively substantial groundwater resources are fundamentally underpinned by an extensive and porous sandy sedimentary stratum, measuring 80 to 200 meters in thickness, which serves as a critical aquifer system. The period from 1985 to 2000 witnessed remarkable progress in desertification control, marked by a significant reversal in land degradation trends. Nevertheless, the subsequent phase post-2000 has been defined by a pronounced operational bottleneck, manifesting as a markedly decelerated rate of reduction in desertified land area and a stagnating trajectory in the recovery of biomass. In the context of ongoing climate change, the foremost challenge confronting sustainable desertification management in the Horqin Sandy Lands is escalating water resource stress, which threatens the longevity of past restoration gains and future initiatives. This review systematically synthesizes and critically evaluates a substantial body of research pertaining to the geographical foundations of ecological vulnerability, the dynamic processes and mechanisms of desertification and ecological recovery, and the intricate interrelationships between biological productivity fluxes and groundwater dynamics. By constructing a comprehensive synthesis from these diverse research strands, this review aims to elucidate the complete narrative of desertification control tracing its foundations, achievements, and contemporary challenges， thereby providing a robust theoretical framework and empirical evidence base to inform the scientific management of soil and water resources and to guide the sustainable restoration of degraded landscapes in the Horqin Sandy Lands.

As a water conservation area in the Horqin agro-pastoral ecotone, Naiman Banner boasts strontium and metasilicic acid-rich groundwater, which provides opportunities for groundwater health research and mineral water development. This study selected the southern mountainous area of Naiman Banner, Inner Mongolia, as the target area. Based on hydrogeological surveys and test data from 37 groups of groundwater samples, hydrogeochemical analysis methods were employed to reveal the spatial differentiation patterns and formation mechanisms of strontium-rich and metasilicic acid groundwater. Results indicated that the groundwater in the study area is neutral weak alkaline, with HCO₃-Ca as the main hydrochemical type. The strontium content ranges from 0.24 to 1.83 mg/L, and the metasilicic acid content ranges from 14.9 to 29.9 mg/L. The strontium rich metasilicic acid composite groundwater is distributed around the Maifanshi mining area in the area. The weathering and dissolution of carbonate rocks and silicate rocks, as well as the alternating adsorption of cations, promote the enrichment of strontium in groundwater. Indoor experiments have shown that the leaching of vermiculite is beneficial for the formation of metasilicic groundwater. The study also indicates that the pore fissure aquifer in the area has the potential for industrialized development of strontium and metasilicic acid-rich mineral water, providing scientific basis for rural revitalization and coordinated utilization of geological resources.

To better understand the application status of geological science funding projects and improve the quality of project proposals and final reports, this article analyzes the application, review, and funding situation of geological science projects (Application code D02) in 2025. Over the past five years, the number of applications for key projects has fluctuated and declined, while the number of applications for general projects, Young Scientists Fund (A), Young Scientists Fund (B), and Regional Science Fund projects has been growing continuously. In particular, the number of applications for Young Scientists Fund (C) has seen a significant increase compared with 2024. There are 5 sub-disciplines where the total number of applications for general projects, Young Scientists Fund (C), and Regional Science Fund projects exceeds 400. Universities and research institutes remain the main applicants for these three types of projects. In terms of funding, the total awarded number and amount of the “General-Young Scientists (C)-Regional” projects both slightly increased compared with 2024. During the project review process, it was identified that failure to provide relevant materials as required remains the primary reason for project rejection. Additionally, a review was conducted on the project progress reports submitted in January 2025 and the conclusion reports of projects completed by the end of 2024, summarizing the major advancements and achievements made in fields such as life and environmental evolution, the composition and tectonic evolution of Earth, resources and energy, Quaternary geology, hydrogeology and engineering geology, and technical support sub-discipline.

The Naiman trona deposit in Inner Mongolia is a supergiant deposit discovered in recent years in China, with identified resources of 2.077 billion tons, making it the largest trona deposit so far discovered in China and even in Asia. The deposit is located in the Naiman Sag on the southwestern margin of the Songliao Basin and is hosted in strata of the Lower Cretaceous Yixian-Jiufotang formations. It is characterized by high ore grade, great ore-layer thickness, relatively deep burial, and complex mineralogical composition. Vertically, it consists of interbedded trona ore layers, rock-salt layers and mudstones, forming as many as 118 sedimentary cycles, while horizontally it exhibits a lenticular distribution. Seven Na-carbonate minerals, including trona, nahcolite and natrocalcite, and eight associated minerals, including halite, anhydrite and searlesite, have been identified. A key scientific question is why large-scale trona enrichment took place in the Naiman area during the Early Cretaceous greenhouse period under an extensional tectonic regime. The ore-forming mechanism may be investigated from the following aspects: conducting in-depth studies on the role of fault systems as channels for hydrothermal fluid migration in an extensional setting, and on the effects of continuous basin subsidence on the formation and preservation of ore layers; resolving the material contributions of volcanic rock weathering, deep magmatic-hydrothermal fluids and high atmospheric CO₂ concentrations by means of geochemical tracing techniques; precisely constraining the timing of mineralization by integrating radiometric dating with biostratigraphic methods; and elucidating the controlling mechanisms of paleoclimate and paleoenvironment on trona sedimentary cycles through a combination of paleoclimatic-paleogeographic proxies and sedimentary cycle analysis. Through this integrated metallogenic research framework that couples deep tectonic architecture, material sources, metallogenic timing and sedimentary paleoclimate-paleoenvironment, the formation mechanism and metallogenic model of the Naiman supergiant trona deposit can be revealed, which is of great fundamental scientific significance. Meanwhile, the research results will support exploration of trona deposits in the Songliao Basin and surrounding areas and promote the upgrading of China’s soda ash industry, thus having important strategic and practical significance.

Based on the strategy of rural revitalization and the perspective of earth sciense, combining the local demands of industrial development transformation in Naiman Banner, Inner Mongolia, this study utilizes enterprise big data obtained from the Tianyancha database, GIS-based spatial distribution analysis, and big data analytics to reveal the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of industrial development in Naiman Banner and explore the influencing factors of its spatial pattern. The results indicate that the spatial distribution of industries in Naiman Banner has gradually evolved into a belt-shaped pattern, centered around Daqintala Town and extending in a north-south orientation across the banner. Population distribution, transportation infrastructure, and land use significantly influence the industrial spatial pattern, with industries tending to cluster in urban areas near national and provincial highways, a trend more pronounced in densely populated regions. Based on the analytical results and practical industrial development conditions, this study proposes scientific recommendations for structural transformation and spatial optimization of industrial development in Naiman Banner, offering actionable insights for local policymaking.

The high heterogeneity of terrestrial underlying surfaces and the complex coupling characteristics of ecohydrological processes lead to unclear multi-scale coupling evolution mechanisms of terrestrial ecohydrological processes, imperfect coupling simulation systems for multi-factor interactions, including hydrology, soil, vegetation and human activities, as well as insufficient cognition of the resource and environmental effects and derivative risks induced by the multi-scale variations in ecohydrological processes. These issues have become the core bottleneck for clarifying and solving a series of hydrological, ecological, resource, and environmental problems, and also restrict the refined management of regional water resources and the sustainable development of ecological environments.To solve the above issues, this paper breaks through the coupling and effects of typical terrestrial ecological and hydrological systems, coupling from the perspective of the multi-element coupling cycle, energy cycle, and biological process. It proposes the future research on the multi- change process of inland river basin hydrological and ecological and its water resources effects, the multi-scale change mechanism of the coupling process of hydrological and ecological in the Loess plateau, the multi-scale measurement and change mechanism of the hydrological and ecological processes in the lake basin, and the multi-scale change mechanism of the hydrological and ecological processes the Great Bay Area and its social and economic risks and the resource and ecological environment effects of the changes in the terrestrial hydrological and ecological processes. Revealing the typical terrestrial-scale coupling mechanism of inland river basins, the Loess Plateau, lake basins, the Great Bay Area and other typical terrestrial hydrological and ecological processes developing the monitoring methods of key hydrological and ecological parameters such as evapotranspiration, and developing the coupling simulation technology of terrestrial hydrological and ecological processes, elating the resource and environmental effects and its socio-economic risks of the changes in typical terrestrial hydrological and ecological processes under the background of global change, and providing a scientific basis the rational use of regional water resources, ecological environment protection and global change response.

Salt marshes are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth; however, they face ubiquitous cliff erosion at marsh edges globally. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the formation and evolution of marsh-edge cliffs has become an urgent necessity in the field of Earth science. However, owing to the complexity of marsh habitats at the interface between land and sea, our knowledge of marsh-edge cliffs remains limited. Through a literature review, we examined global research on cliff erosion at marsh edges to improve understanding of this process. First, by reviewing the influence of environmental factors such as hydrodynamic forces, sediment substrates, and biological processes, we discuss their coupling effects across spatiotemporal scales. Second, we conceptually examined three prevailing frameworks: “differential deposition fluctuations”, “self-organization”, and “autocyclic retreat”. By analyzing their differences and connections, we further discuss the comprehensive mechanisms of the formation and evolution of marsh-edge cliffs. Third, the development process and application scope of relevant mathematical models of marsh-edge cliff formation and evolution are introduced and discussed. Finally, we identified several problems to be solved following current transdisciplinary research trends in hydrodynamics, geomorphology, and ecology. Future research on the mechanisms driving marsh-edge cliff formation would be beneficial for deepening the current insights into salt marsh erosion and degradation, which can be used to identify early warning systems for vulnerable habitats and guide ecological restoration in response to global change and anthropogenic impacts.

Oceanic Mesoscale Eddies (ME) carry more than 90% of the kinetic energy in the upper global ocean, playing vital roles in the material and energy transport. They are highly active in the South China Sea (SCS), with complex dynamics for their generation and dissipation, which are received an increasingly attention from physical oceanographers. Through comprehensive analysis of extensively relevant literatures, it is found that the understanding of the three-dimensional structural characteristics of ME in the SCS more clear, the mechanisms of generation mainly include local wind stress, intrusion of the Kuroshio from the Luzon Strait, the westward propagation of Rossby wave in the Pacific Ocean, and a combination of multiple factors. ME’s dissipation is mainly caused by instability during their propagation or interaction with internal waves. It is shown that there is the ability to reconstruct and predict ME for those popular numerical models, data assimilation, and artificial intelligence technologies, but their accuracy still needs to be further improved. It aims to provide a systematic reference for the comprehensive understanding of ME dynamical processes and the improvement of their operational forecasting skills in the SCS. We suggest that combining dynamics theory, advanced ocean numerical models and data assimilation, big data and artificial intelligence to optimize ME simulation, is one of the key points for eddy research and forecasting in the future.

The evaporites in the lower part of the Jiufotang Formation of Naiman Sag，Kailu Basin, were widely developed, forming the world’s second-largest trona deposits, which serve as important deep-time records of the Early Cretaceous palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironment in Northeast Asia. However, the genesis of the trona deposit and its source-to-sink processes are still unclear. In order to investigate the formation processes of soda ash, we carried out a multi-scaled investigation of the sedimentary route system, involving regional “basin-mountain coupling”, core-scaled sedimentary cyclothemes and thin section-scaled analysis of mineral assemblages. And the material sources, facies distribution, key interfaces and sedimentary differentiation mechanisms of the Naiman trona deposit were explored. The results show that the Naiman trona deposit is similar to the Green River Formation in the United States, and the evaporites were precipitated in the central depression where black shales were also widely developed. Evaporite facies conform approximately to a bull’s eye pattern with a zonation of terrigenous clasts, alkaline earth carbonate, surrounding a basin centre accumulation of Na-carbonate and halite, indicating that the depositional differentiation is controlled by the solubility and geomorphic elevation of the basin. The formation of Naiman trona deposits mainly involves two processes: firstly, the Na⁺-HCO{}_{\mathrm{3}}^{-} rich brine accumulated in the lake during the humid period with large amounts of Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, HCO{}_{\mathrm{3}}^{-}, Cl^- leached from the intermediate-basic volcanic rocks around the periphery of the basin. Secondly, the lake basin was highly dried under extreme arid climate conditions, and the lake was saturated with trona-halite, which were precipitated sequentially in the center of the depression. The giant trona deposits are characterized by interbedded halite, trona, gypsum, and black shale, reflecting frequent fluctuations of the lake level and cyclicity of trona accumulation. The annual varves and Milankovitch cycle of evaporites in Naiman Sag indicate that the trona-accumulating period was about 1.2 Ma, much smaller than the depositional time of the lower part of the Jiufotang Formation (2.5 Ma). The source-to-sink depositional pattern of trona deposits in the Naiman Sag will provide a reference for the exploration and development of similar Na-carbonate evaporite deposits.

Emerging Organic Contaminants (EOCs) are used extensively in a wide range of consumer products, and are continuously released into the environment or inadvertently emitted as by-products during industrial processes. Owing to their environmental persistence and long-range environmental transport characteristics, EOCs have become ubiquitous and have been widely detected, even in remote regions of the Arctic. Although previous reviews have addressed the occurrence, environmental behavior, and ecological risks of EOCs in the Arctic, they have largely concentrated on marine ecosystems, leaving terrestrial environments comparatively understudied. Compared with the marine environment, the predominant input pathway of EOCs is attributed to long-range atmospheric transport, with significant contributions from secondary emissions. These differences lead to distinct patterns in the occurrence, transport pathways, sources, and environmental impacts of EOCs in terrestrial systems. This review summarizes the occurrence characteristics, temporal trends, and sources of high-concern EOCs, including OPEs, PFASs, NBFRs, and PCNs, in the Arctic terrestrial environment. EOC concentrations in terrestrial compartments of the Arctic remain relatively low, and their temporal dynamics closely reflect historical and ongoing production and usage patterns, emphasizing the complex interplay between local anthropogenic emissions and secondary releases driven by climate change. Through comprehensive analysis across multiple trophic levels—including terrestrial vegetation, freshwater fish, and terrestrial wildlife, as well as human exposure pathways—this review evaluates the profound ecological and health implications of EOC bioaccumulation. Finally, this review outlines future research priorities in light of the current problems and challenges involved in studying EOCs in the Arctic terrestrial environment. Existing studies remain limited to concentration profiles in single media, with only a narrow range of contaminants reported, and lack a systematic understanding of climate-driven re-emission processes and their environmental effects. Future research should therefore strengthen multimedia investigations of contaminant transport and fate, apply non-target screening techniques to identify high-risk contaminants in the Arctic, and place particular emphasis on climate warming-induced re-emissions and their associated ecological and health risks.

The Chinese continental shelf, a region heavily influenced by human activities, has experienced significant ecological and environmental changes. Studying this area is of great scientific and practical importance for advancing oceanographic knowledge and promoting research on marine environmental protection and resource utilization. In recent years, intensified human activities have caused notable changes in the water environment, with Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) showing new characteristics and shifts in dominant species. This paper provides a systematic review of research on water environmental changes and HABs occurrences in the Chinese continental shelf, offering a comprehensive analysis of major ecological and environmental challenges and outlining prospects for future research. The findings indicate that the marine ecological environment in this region is increasingly influenced by phosphorus limitation and the roles of organic nitrogen and phosphorus, accompanied by a shift in dominant HABs species from diatoms to dinoflagellates, and, in some areas, the simultaneous occurrence of HABs and green tides. These changes are driven by both ongoing alterations in terrestrial inputs and intrinsic self-regulatory mechanisms within the marine ecosystem, reflecting the cumulative effects of long-term environmental changes. Notably, there is a significant time lag between reductions in terrestrial pollution and decreases in HABs frequency, complicating the evaluation of management effectiveness and challenging the scientific determination of ecological risk thresholds or tipping points. Despite considerable progress in understanding the evolution of water environments and risks of HABs in China, significant challenges remain, including insufficient long-term and systematic observational data, the requirement to expand the research scope, and incomplete knowledge of land-sea interaction mechanisms. Future research should focus on elucidating land-sea coupling processes, enhancing marine environmental monitoring networks, improving data processing and technological innovation, and clarifying the thresholds for nitrogen and phosphorus management while developing integrated strategies that encompass monitoring, tracing, calculation, and management. These efforts are crucial for advancing marine environmental research in the Chinese continental shelf.

Temperature and precipitation are key climatic factors regulating ecohydrological processes in arid and semi-arid regions of China. However, the impacts of their synergistic effects on soil microbial processes remain to be further clarified. Based on long-term observational data from the Naiman National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, this study focused on meadow aeolian sandy soil in the Horqin Sandy Land to quantitatively evaluate the synergistic effects of temperature and precipitation on soil microbial biomass carbon. The results indicated that the synergistic effect of temperature and precipitation is mediated by soil moisture as a critical intermediate, which regulates the dynamics of soil microbial biomass carbon through the core pathway: “temperature-precipitation synergy—soil moisture response—soil microbial feedback”. Furthermore, a soil moisture content of 0.019 m³/m³ can serve as the critical threshold for distinguishing different types of temperature-precipitation synergistic interactions. Under the scenario of “increased temperature and increased precipitation”, rising temperatures dominate and enhance soil evaporation. Precipitation supplementation fails to offset evaporative losses, resulting in drought stress that inhibits the accumulation of microbial biomass carbon. In contrast, under the scenario of “decreased temperature and decreased precipitation”, reduced temperatures weaken evaporation, while decreased precipitation suppresses deep water infiltration—thus maintaining surface soil moisture at an optimal state and facilitating the accumulation of microbial biomass carbon. This study not only deepens the understanding of how the synergistic effects of multiple climatic factors modulate soil microbial processes in arid and semi-arid regions but also provides significant insights for elucidating soil carbon cycle processes in sandy land ecosystems.

Land surfaces are important components of the Earth’s system. The land surface has an important influence on the weather and climate system through processes such as energy, moisture, carbon, and nitrogen cycles, coupling, and interactions with the atmosphere. The study of numerical modelling and forecasting of land surface processes is a hot topic in international research. However, the numerical modelling and forecasting of land surface processes are subject to large uncertainties. Assessing the current level of uncertainty in numerical modelling and forecasting of land surface processes, searching for sources of uncertainty in numerical modelling and forecasting of land surface processes, and exploring ways and means to reduce the uncertainty in numerical modelling and forecasting of land surface processes fall within the scope of research on the predictability of land surface processes. This paper reviews the progress of the author's research in these three areas and discusses key scientific issues and techniques that need to be focused on in future research on the predictability of land-surface processes.

The Naiman Sag is located in the southwestern part of the Songliao Basin. It remains underexplored, and the conditions for hydrocarbon accumulation and the main controlling factors are not yet well understood. This study based on a comprehensive review of previous studies and integrates data from drilling, seismic profiles, reservoir lithology and petrophysics. It analyzes the petroleum geological characteristics, controlling factors for hydrocarbon accumulation, and resource potential of the Naiman Sag. The results indicate the primary hydrocarbon source rocks in the region are the Shahai, lower Jiufotang, and Yixian formations. These are mainly concentrated in the northern part of the sag and are generally at a low-to-mature stage (R_O<1.0%). Among them, the lower Jiufotang Formation, developed in semi-deep lake to deep lake facies, contains high-quality source rocks with high organic matter abundance (average TOC of 2.79%) and predominantly of Type I and Type II₁ kerogen. These source rocks are the primary contributors to hydrocarbons in the region. Biomarker characteristics indicate that the source rocks formed in a high-salinity, strongly reducing lacustrine environment, with mixed contributions from lower aquatic organisms and higher terrestrial plants. The hydrocarbons in the region are primarily heavy oil and wet gas, with heavy oils not undergoing significant biodegradation and mainly controlled by low maturity. The natural gas is characterized as sapropelic kerogen-derived gas in the low-to-mature stage, directly resulting from kerogen cracking. Hydrocarbon accumulation is primarily controlled by favorable source-reservoir configurations, dominant depositional facies, and advantageous lithology, demonstrating a trinity of “facies-lithology-structure” coupling. Additionally, deep fluid activities may play an important role in the accumulation process by not only promoting secondary hydrocarbon generation but also contributing to the enrichment of associated noble gases such as hydrogen and helium. Overall, the central and deeper “sweet-spot” zones of the sag, with abundant hydrocarbon supply, proximal traps, and active fluid movement, show significant exploration potential. Future studies should focus on the unconventional accumulation mechanisms under multi-factor coupling. This will deepen the understanding of the petroleum system in the Naiman Sag.

This paper reviews the 15-year development process of the Integrated Risk Governance Project (IRGP) under IHDP/Future Earth, summarizes its major research achievements, and provides prospects for future research directions in this field. The first five years of IRGP (2010-2014) were carried out under the International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (IHDP), focusing on global integrated risk governance research. Six main research themes were included: social-ecologic system, model and modeling, entry mechanism, early warning system, case comparison, risk governance paradigms. Over the past ten years, IRGP has continued under the framework of the Future Earth (FE), jointly initiated and led by the International Science Council (ISC, formed through the merger of ICSU and ISSC) and United Nations system organizations such as UNESCO, UNEP, and UNU. Its main research directions have included: natural disaster and advanced technology risks, climate change risks in coastal regions, risks from urbanization and agriculture, financial and global systemic risks, as well as green growth and integrated risk management. Major achievements of IRGP include: the paradigm of comprehensive disaster reduction and risk defense—the consilience model, compilation of the Atlas of Natural Disasters in China, compilation of the World Atlas of Natural Disasters, comprehensive rapid assessment studies of global compound chain disasters and mega-disaster risks, construction of the global environmental risk governance paradigm, and systematic analyses of Earth environmental risk prevention and control. Comparing IRGP’s 15-year research progress with the trends of international political, economic, social, environmental, and technological development, future integrated risk governance research should address systemic risks of the Earth and the world, focusing on the trinity of tackling global climate change, reducing disaster risks, and achieving sustainable development. It is advisable to promptly establish an international science programme for integrated disaster risk prevention based on the successful experience and existing work of IRGP, as it is highly essential for ensuring the security and sustainable development of the community with a shared future for mankind.

With the rapid advancement of wind and solar power generation technologies, the proportion of wind and solar energy within power systems continues to rise. However, the output of these two energy sources is directly influenced by weather conditions, exhibiting significant randomness, volatility, and intermittency. This poses severe challenges to power dispatch and the secure, stable operation of the grid. High-precision power forecasting technologies at short- and medium-term time scales are crucial for addressing these challenges and achieving efficient utilization of wind and solar power generation. This paper systematically reviews the developmental trajectory, core technologies, and latest research advancements in short- and medium-term meteorological forecasting for wind and solar energy. First, a comprehensive analysis of relevant domestic and international literature indicates that traditional wind and solar energy forecasting methods—such as numerical weather prediction techniques, statistical approaches (including time series analysis and machine learning), and hybrid/statistical post-processing methods combining both—no longer fully meet current demands. Significant improvements in forecast accuracy and reliability have been achieved through synergistic optimization in key areas: high-resolution rapid-cycle forecasting, energy-specific physical process optimization, and hybrid data assimilation method of Ensemble Kalman Filtering (EnKF) and four-dimensional variational assimilation (4D-Var). Furthermore, the introduction of next-generation dynamic frameworks and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) large models, the assimilation and fusion of multi-source data, and the application of emerging technologies like “digital twins” offer new avenues for further refining forecast outcomes. Finally, the paper analyses the challenges confronting current forecasting techniques and outlines future development directions which include but not limited to challenges posed by forecasting extreme weather events，complex terrain physical and dynamical representations, enhancing model interpretability, and subseasonal to seasonal-scale forecasting; Deep integration of artificial intelligence with physical models to develop “physical-information neural networks” by embedding physical laws; Collective probabilistic forecasting that combines traditional physical models with large AI model ensembles will become widespread; Disruptive technologies like quantum computing are poised to advance ultra-high-resolution meteorological simulations; Achieving deep coupling between forecasting technologies and scenarios such as the grid-based automatic power generation control to build closed-loop intelligent decision-making systems. This review aims to provide a technical reference for researchers and engineering technicians in the field of energy meteorology.

Accurately assessing the spatiotemporal dynamics of vegetation Net Primary Productivity (NPP) in sandy ecosystems and quantifying the roles of climate change and human activities are crucial for elucidating the impacts of environmental change on the carbon pool in these ecosystems and for developing strategies to enhance carbon sinks. Using MOD17A3HGF data products, we systematically analyzed the spatiotemporal patterns of vegetation NPP and their driving mechanisms in the Horqin region from 2001 to 2023, employing trend analysis, stability analysis, partial correlation analysis, and partial derivatives. The results indicated that: ① From 2001 to 2023, the vegetation net primary productivity in the Horqin region exhibited a spatial pattern of being higher in the northwest and southeast and lower in the central region, with a significant increase at a rate of 4.78 g C/(m²⋅a). An impressive 89.3% of the region experienced significant recovery, with 72.6% maintaining stable condition. The recovery rate of net primary productivity was stronger in fixed sands than that in mobile sands. ② A warming and humidification trend characterized the climatic conditions in the Horqin region. The magnitude of climate changes was generally higher in desertified areas than in non-desertified ones. ③ Vegetation net primary productivity showed positive correlations with annual precipitation, and annual mean temperature, but was negatively correlated with annual mean solar radiation, with precipitation dominating the variation in vegetation net primary productivity. ④ In vegetation restoration areas, regions where net primary productivity changes were jointly driven by climate change and human activities, and those primarily driven by human activity accounted for 82.2% and 16.6%, respectively. However, in areas of vegetation degradation, the dominant influence of human activity remains non-negligible. Net primary productivity in mobile sand areas was predominantly influenced by climate change, whereas in fixed sand areas, it was substantially affected by anthropogenic activities. Our findings robustly endorse the following management strategies that facilitate the natural restoration of mobile sands by adapting to the prevailing trends of climate warming and humidification and enhancing the carbon sequestration and carbon sink capacity of sands through the regulation of agricultural practices. These insights provide a scientific foundation for targeted implementation of desertification control and ecological restoration efforts in the Horqin region.

The discovery of marine magnetic anomaly stripes (magnetic stripes) represents a pivotal breakthrough in Earth sciences, providing decisive evidence for the theories of seafloor spreading and plate tectonics. The study of magnetic stripes is of significant scientific importance for understanding the formation and evolutionary mechanisms of oceanic lithosphere and dynamic processes within the Earth. However, traditional geological research primarily relies on manual identification of magnetic stripes, and faces several challenges: the complex structure and large volume of magnetic stripe data, the time-consuming and labor-intensive identification process, and the susceptibility of results to subjective factors such as the interpreter's experience, making it difficult to meet the efficiency and accuracy demands of modern Earth science research. To address these challenges, researchers have introduced advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and big data, to explore methods for the automatic identification of magnetic stripes. In this study, we targeted magnetic anomalies around the Shatsky Rise, a typical submarine feature in the western Pacific Ocean, and employed U-Net convolutional neural networks to achieve machine-automated identification of magnetic stripes. The approach first integrated marine magnetic survey data and magnetic stripe label data from the Shatsky Rise region to construct a high-quality training dataset. Subsequently, the U-Net convolutional neural network model was trained on this dataset to obtain machine-predicted magnetic stripe distributions, which were then compared and analyzed with manually identified results to validate the reliability and accuracy of the model. The study's primary findings are as follows: The study establishes a method for the automatic identification of marine magnetic anomaly stripes based on the U-Net convolutional neural network, using the Shatsky Rise as a demonstration area. It demonstrates that the U-Net-based method for automatic identification of magnetic stripes significantly improves identification efficiency and accuracy, and reduces subjective errors introduced by manual intervention. This method provides a new technical tool for the quantitative study of marine magnetic anomaly stripes. This research not only offers scientific insights for magnetic stripe identification in the Shatsky Rise region, but also provides technical support and reference models for applications in other similar areas. Thus, the findings are of significance for promoting the intelligent transformation of magnetic stripe interpretation.

Against the backdrop of China’s “carbon neutrality” goal and green sustainable development supporting rural revitalization, accelerating the construction of wind- and solar-dominated renewable energy facilities requires scientifically grounded development strategies. This study conducts a refined assessment of the technically exploitable potential of solar and wind power generation in Naiman Banner by integrating high-precision satellite-derived solar radiation, high-resolution wind speed data, land use, and protected area boundaries, combined with advanced photovoltaic and wind power generation models. The results indicate that Naiman Banner possesses abundant wind and solar resources. The total rooftop photovoltaic potential reaches 13.5 TWh, with a spatial pattern characterized by higher potential in the southern and northeastern regions, and lower in the west and east. The total potential of optimally tilted fixed-angle photovoltaics is estimated at 24 TWh, mainly concentrated in the northwest, central, and northeastern areas, and lower in the south. At 100 meters height, the wind power generation is 18.4 TWh, with the highest values in the west, moderate in the central-southern region, and lower in the north. At 140 meters, the wind power generation increases to 20.8 TWh, with the highest values in the western and southeastern regions, and generally high potential across most other areas. The findings of this case study provide valuable insights for optimizing the planning and siting of PV installations, fostering the co-development of solar and wind energy, and advancing the rural revitalization strategy in Naiman Banner.

Drought stress affects plant stomatal behavior through both soil and atmospheric pathways. Stomatal conductance is an essential physiological parameter for plant adaptation to drought stress, regulated by both internal and external environmental factors. This review synthesizes findings from domestic and international studies on the development and application of stomatal conductance models under drought stress scenarios, including Jarvis-type empirical models, Ball-Berry-type semi-empirical models, and two types of mechanistic models based on stomatal hydraulic theory and optimization theory. The respective advantages and limitations of each model type are analyzed. Despite being straightforward and practical, empirical and semi-empirical models of stomatal conductance have a weak theoretical foundation and cannot adequately explain the biophysical mechanisms. In contrast, mechanistic models have greater biophysical explanatory power and adaptability. Despite their complexity, they can clarify the inherent patterns of stomatal behavior under drought stress. This makes them a universal predictive framework for simulating stomatal conductance in plants under complex drought conditions. Considering the numerous obstacles to the creation of mechanistic models of stomatal conductance, more research in this area is crucial. In addition, the development of emerging technologies such as machine learning and stable isotopes has provided new avenues for model improvement, which have not only broadened the theoretical boundaries of the models but have also improved the simulation ability of stomatal conductance in plants under drought stress. We conclude by outlining our prognosis and recommendations for future research directions, emphasizing the necessity of incorporating cutting-edge technology and expanding mechanistic knowledge to create robust and high-precision mechanistic stomatal conductance models. This study will offer a stronger theoretical foundation and methodological point of reference for a more thorough understanding of how to optimize transpiration, photosynthesis, and stomatal regulation in drought-stressed plants.

Nitrogen uptake by phytoplankton and nitrification mediated by nitrifying microorganisms in the upper ocean are key processes affecting marine productivity and carbon sequestration. Understanding how these two critical nitrogen cycle processes respond to the dual stressors of ocean acidification and warming represents a pressing research frontier in marine biogeochemical cycles and global change. Elucidating this issue will provide a theoretical foundation for accurately assessing future changes in ocean productivity and the efficiency of the biological pump. However, most existing studies rely on laboratory-based pure culture experiments, which may fail to adequately reflect the complex interactions between phytoplankton and nitrifying microorganisms in natural marine ecosystems and their responses to changes in environmental factors. This study systematically summarizes the impacts and mechanisms of ocean acidification and warming on nitrogen uptake and nitrification. In addition, more attention needs to be paid to other factors, such as strengthened ocean stratification and decreased dissolved oxygen contents, induced by ocean acidification and warming, which could indirectly affect nitrogen uptake and nitrification. Existing problems such as insufficient in-situ monitoring of ecosystems, limited synergistic studies on multiple processes and stresses, and inadequate understanding of long-term adaptation processes, are highlighted. Finally, three key areas are proposed for future research: \mathrm{①} synchronous coupling analysis of nitrogen uptake and nitrification processes, and clarifying the interactive effects of acidification and warming, \mathrm{②} exploring the vertical differentiation response mechanisms of the above processes in the upper ocean, particularly in oligotrophic oceans, where critical knowledge gaps exist, and \mathrm{③} elucidating the long-term adaptation processes and nonlinear responses of phytoplankton and nitrifying microorganisms. A three-in-one research framework is constructed—encompassing the spatial dimension, temporal scale, and the experimental system—to provide a scientific basis for evaluating the evolution of key nitrogen processes and marine productivity under global change.

Lunar and Planetary Sciences, as a core supporting discipline for deep space exploration, plays a crucial role in uncovering the evolutionary laws of the solar system, understanding the essential nature of Earth's origin, and promoting interdisciplinary integration and innovation. This article presents an overview of the application and funding of National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) programs for the Lunar and Planetary Sciences Discipline, Department of Earth Sciences, in the year of 2025. Lunar and Planetary Sciences Discipline received a total of 388 proposals from 130 supporting institutions during the centralized acceptance period. In terms of research contents, approximately 70% of the proposed studies focused on the Moon and Mars, and 63.5% of the proposals exhibited a characteristic of interdisciplinary research. Furthermore, young applicants with ages from 26 to 40 formed the dominant group, constituting 72.4% of all applicants. Twenty-three projects funded from previous cycles have been concluded by the end of 2024. These projects achieved important advancements in many planetary science fields, including planetary geology, planetary space physics, and planetary atmospheres.

Under the backdrop of resource competition among world powers and policy adjustments in resource-rich countries, the strategic attributes and significance of copper resources have become increasingly prominent. The competition among major powers over resources has intensified, and the copper resource industry chain and supply chain are facing significant uncertainties and risks. Studying the resilience of the copper resource industry chain and supply chain trade network is of great significance for ensuring the security of copper resources and the stability of the global copper resource industry chain and supply chain. By comprehensively considering all products in the entire copper resource industry chain and supply chain, including upstream mining, midstream smelting, and downstream processing, an analysis framework for the resilience of the international trade network is constructed. Through describing the capabilities and characteristics of network nodes and structures, the evolution characteristics of the resilience of the copper resource industry chain and supply chain network are depicted from both dynamic and static dimensions. The research shows that at the node resilience level, China has a significant advantage in the upstream and midstream, but the downstream is showing a downward trend. Resource-endowed countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chile have high resilience in the upstream and midstream due to their resource advantages, but their performance in the downstream is not outstanding. Industrial powers such as Germany and the United States have seen a decline in their upstream resilience, but their overall resilience across the entire chain is relatively prominent, and they still hold important positions in the upstream, midstream, and downstream. At the static structural resilience level, resilience in all links is showing a downward trend, and recovery capabilities are all inadequate, with stronger resistance capabilities in the upstream and downstream. At the dynamic structural resilience level, the polarization effect of the upstream and downstream networks has weakened, and their stability capabilities need to be improved. Midstream trade is increasingly concentrated on important links, leading to a decline in resistance to attacks. In the entire chain, the motivation for re-establishing trade links stems primarily from a country's existing status as a trade hub. Trade hub countries dominate the establishment of potential new links and have stronger reconstruction capabilities.