On 10 July 2012 (UTC+8), TASI sensor carried by the Harbin Y-12 aircraft was used in a visible near Infrared hyperspectral airborne remote sensing experiment, which is located in the observation experimental area (30×30 km), Linze region and Heihe riverway. The relative flight altitude is 2500 meters. The wavelength of TASI is 8-11.5 μm with a spatial resolution of 3 meters. Through the ground sample points and atmospheric data, the data are recorded in surface radiance processed by geometric correction and atmospheric correction.

The annual ring is the main technical means for carrying out the variance analysis, and it is also one of the methods to establish the expansion of water consumption time of plant transpiration. In 2001, this project sampled 60 Populus euphratica in Ejin Oasis and measured the age and ring width index.

The accurate estimation of sapwood area and heartwood area is the main means to convert the transpiration water consumption scale. In October 2011, this project investigated the sapwood and heartwood of 98 Populus euphratica in Ejin Oasis and measured the width of sapwood and heartwood. The relation curve of sapwood area with DBH and height was established. Please refer to LI Wei, SI Jianhua,FENG Qi, YU Teng fei. Response of Transpiration to Water Vapour Pressure Defferential of Populus euphratica. Journal of Desert Research, 2013, 33(5): 1377-1384. for details.

This dataset contains the automatic weather station (AWS) measurements from site No.8 in the flux observation matrix from 14 May to 21 September, 2012. The site (100.37649° E, 38.87254° N) was located in a cropland (maize surface) in Yingke irrigation district, which is near Zhangye, Gansu Province. The elevation is 1550.06 m. The installation heights and orientations of different sensors and measured quantities were as follows: air temperature and humidity (HMP45AC; 5 m, towards north), air pressure (CS100; 2 m), rain gauge (TE525M; 10 m), wind speed and direction (010C/020C; 10 m, towards north), a four-component radiometer (CNR4; 6 m, towards south), two infrared temperature sensors (SI-111; 6 m, vertically downward), soil temperature profile (109ss-L; 0, -0.02, -0.04, -0.1, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, and -1.0 m), soil moisture profile (CS616; -0.02, -0.04, -0.1, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, and -1.0 m), and soil heat flux (HFP01; 3 duplicates with one below the vegetation and the other between plants, 0.06 m). The observations included the following: air temperature and humidity (Ta_5 m and RH_5 m) (℃ and %, respectively), air pressure (press, hpa), precipitation (rain, mm), wind speed (Ws_10 m, m/s), wind direction (WD_10 m, °), four-component radiation (DR, incoming shortwave radiation; UR, outgoing shortwave radiation; DLR_Cor, incoming longwave radiation; ULR_Cor, outgoing longwave radiation; Rn, net radiation; W/m^2), infrared temperature (IRT_1 and IR_2, ℃), soil heat flux (Gs_1, below the vegetation; Gs_2 and Gs_3, W/m^2), soil temperature profile (Ts_0 cm, Ts_2 cm, Ts_4 cm, Ts_10 cm, Ts_20 cm, Ts_40 cm, Ts_60 cm, and Ts_100 cm, ℃), and soil moisture profile (Ms_2 cm, Ms_4 cm, Ms_10 cm, Ms_20 cm, Ms_40 cm, Ms_60 cm, and Ms_100 cm, %). The data processing and quality control steps were as follows. (1) The AWS data were averaged over intervals of 10 min; therefore, there were 144 records per day. The missing data were filled with -6999. (2) Data in duplicate records were rejected. (3) Unphysical data were rejected. (4) In this dataset, the time of 0:10 corresponds to the average data for the period between 0:00 and 0:10; the data were stored in *.xlsx format. (5) Finally, the naming convention was AWS+ site no. Moreover, suspicious data were marked in red. For more information, please refer to Liu et al. (2016) (for multi-scale observation experiment or sites information), Xu et al. (2013) (for data processing) in the Citation section.

This dataset contains the automatic weather station (AWS) measurements from site No.1 in the flux observation matrix from 10 June to 17 September, 2012. The site (100.3582° E, 38.8932° N) was located in a cropland (vegetable surface) in the Yingke irrigation district, which is near Zhangye, Gansu Province. The elevation is 1552.75 m. The installation heights and orientations of different sensors and measured quantities were as follows: air temperature and humidity (HMP155; 5 m, towards north), air pressure (PTB110; 2 m), rain gauge (TR525M; 10 m), wind speed and direction (03002; 10 m, towards north), a four-component radiometer (CNR4; 6 m, towards south), two infrared temperature sensors (SI-111; 6 m, vertically downward), soil temperature profile (109ss-L; 0, -0.02, -0.04, -0.1, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, and -1.0 m), soil moisture profile (SM300; -0.02, -0.04, -0.1, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, and -1.0 m), and soil heat flux (HFP01; 3 duplicates with one below the vegetation and the other between plants, 0.06 m). One of the infrared temperature sensors (IRT_2) was adjusted to a zenith angle of 50° after 6 August. The observations included the following: air temperature and humidity (Ta_5 m and RH_5 m) (℃ and %, respectively), air pressure (press, hpa), precipitation (rain, mm), wind speed (Ws_10 m, m/s), wind direction (WD_10 m, °), four-component radiation (DR, incoming shortwave radiation; UR, outgoing shortwave radiation; DLR_Cor, incoming longwave radiation; ULR_Cor, outgoing longwave radiation; Rn, net radiation; W/m^2), infrared temperature (IRT_1 and IR_2, ℃), soil heat flux (Gs_1, below the vegetation; Gs_2 and Gs_3, W/m^2), soil temperature profile (Ts_0 cm, Ts_2 cm, Ts_4 cm, Ts_10 cm, Ts_20 cm, Ts_40 cm, Ts_60 cm, and Ts_100 cm, ℃), and soil moisture profile (Ms_2 cm, Ms_4 cm, Ms_10 cm, Ms_20 cm, Ms_40 cm, Ms_60 cm, and Ms_100 cm, %). The data processing and quality control steps were as follows. (1) The AWS data were averaged over intervals of 10 min; therefore, there were 144 records per day. The missing data were filled with -6999. (2) Data in duplicate records were rejected. (3) Unphysical data were rejected. (4) In this dataset, the time of 0:10 corresponds to the average data for the period between 0:00 and 0:10; the data were stored in *.xlsx format. (5) Finally, the naming convention was AWS+ site no. Moreover, suspicious data were marked in red. For more information, please refer to Liu et al. (2016) (for multi-scale observation experiment or sites information), Xu et al. (2013) (for data processing) in the Citation section.

This dataset includes seven scenes; two scenes cover the Dayekou catchment on (yy-mm-dd) 2012-08-19 and 2012-08-28, one scene covers the airport desert experimental site on 2012-06-29, three scenes cover the Daman foci experimental area on 2012-06-21, 2012-07-10 and 2012-08-27, and one scene covers the natural oasis eco-hydrology experimental area in the lower reaches of the Heihe River Basin. The data were all acquired around 9:00 (BJT) of full swath mode with data product of Level 1A. PROBA CHRIS dataset was acquired through the European Space Agency (ESA)-Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MOST) Cooperative Dragon 2 (project ID: 5322) and Dragon 3 (project ID: 10649) Programme.

This is the morphological and structural characteristics of the constructive plants’ chloroplasts in arid areas of the middle-lower reaches of Heihe River Basin. The material number is the same as in the sampling table. The chloroplast morphology and structure of 60 dominant plants were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The chloroplast morphology, thylakoid grana lamella and matrix morphology, starch content and the morphological characteristics of osmiophilic granules can all be reflected.

This dataset contains the automatic weather station (AWS) measurements from site No.10 in the flux observation matrix from 1 June to 17 September, 2012. The site (100.39572° E, 38.87567° N) was located in a cropland (maize surface) in Yingke irrigation district, which is near Zhangye, Gansu Province. The elevation is 1534.73 m. The installation heights and orientations of different sensors and measured quantities were as follows: air temperature and humidity (HMP155; 5 m, towards north), rain gauge (TE525M; 10 m), wind speed (03001; 10 m, towards north), a four-component radiometer (CNR1; 6 m, towards south), two infrared temperature sensors (SI-111; 6 m, vertically downward), soil temperature profile (109ss-L; 0, -0.02, and -0.04 m), soil moisture profile (CS616; 0.02, 0.04 m), and soil heat flux (HFP01; 3 duplicates with one below the vegetation and the other between plants, 0.06 m). The observations included the following: air temperature and humidity (Ta_5 m and RH_5 m) (℃ and %, respectively), precipitation (rain, mm), wind speed (Ws_10 m, m/s), four-component radiation (DR, incoming shortwave radiation; UR, outgoing shortwave radiation; DLR_Cor, incoming longwave radiation; ULR_Cor, outgoing longwave radiation; Rn, net radiation; W/m^2), infrared temperature (IRT_1 and IR_2, ℃), soil heat flux (Gs_1, below the vegetation; Gs_2 and Gs_3, W/m^2), soil temperature profile (Ts_0 cm, Ts_2 cm, and Ts_4 cm, ℃), and soil moisture profile (Ms_2 cm and Ms_4 cm, %). The data processing and quality control steps were as follows. (1) The AWS data were averaged over intervals of 10 min; therefore, there were 144 records per day. The missing data were filled with -6999. (2) Duplicate records were rejected. (3) Unphysical data were rejected. (4) In this dataset, the time of 0:10 corresponds to the average data for the period between 0:00 and 0:10; the data were stored in *.xlsx format. (5) Finally, the naming convention was AWS+ site no. Moreover, suspicious data were marked in red. For more information, please refer to Liu et al. (2016) (for multi-scale observation experiment or sites information), Xu et al. (2013) (for data processing) in the Citation section.

The dataset includes two parts that are: 1) channel flow, crop pattern, field management, and socio-economy data measured at super-station in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 (UTC+8), respectively. 2) irrigation data, crop pattern, and socio-economy data investigated at Daman irrigation district and Yingke irrigation district, respectively. 1.1 Objective of investigation Objectives of investigation for two parts data are to obtain crop pattern and irrigation water volume change with time, and to supply parameter for irrigation water optimal allocation model. 1.2 Investigation spots and items Investigation spots include six water management stations that are Dangzhai, Hua’er, Daman, Xiaoman, Jiantan, and Ershilidun, respectively, at Daman irrigation district. Investigation items comprise water allocation time, branch channel inflow, Dou channel inflow, irrigation area, channel water use efficiency, water price, and water fee. Investigation time is described as followed: 2012.03.16 to 2012.04.04, Spring irrigation; 2012.04.04 to 2012.05.14, Summer irrigation; 2012.05.20 to 2012.06.24, Summer irrigation; 2012.05.16 to 2012.07.06, Summer irrigation; 2012.07.15 to 2012.08.02, Autumn irrigation; 2012.08.10 to 2012.08.26, Autumn irrigation. Investigation spots include eight water management station that are Chang’an, Shangqin, Dangzhai, Liangjiadun, Shimiao, Xiaoman, Xindun, and Yangou, respectively, at Yingke irrigation district. Investigation time and items is described as followed: Year Data items Spots 2008, 2010, 2011 Irrigation data: Irrigation time, water level of Dou channel, channel flow, irrigation area Xiaoman county, Shangtouzha village 2012 Irrigation data: Irrigation time, water level of Dou channel, channel flow, irrigation area Chang’an, Shangqin, Dangzhai, Liangjiadun, Shimiao, Xiaoman, Xindun, Yangou 2012 Well data: Well deep, groundwater abstraction, irrigation area Chang’an, Liangjiadun, Shangqin 2012 Socio-economy data: population, agricultural income, un-agricultural income, water use for living, average residential area, education Chang’an, Xiaoman, Liangjiadun, Shangqin 2012 Field management: fertilizer name, fertilization time, fertilization rate, pesticide name, pesticide rate, time Chang’an, Xiaoman, Liangjiadun, Shangqin 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 Crop pattern: crop name, seed time, harvest time, crop area, irrigation quota, field water use efficiency, crop yield, crop production value Xiaoman, Chang’an, Liangjiadun, Shangqin 1.3 Data collection Data was collected by cooperating with water management department of Yingke and Daman.

This data was measured in middle stream of the Heihe River Basin in year 2012. Soil texture, porosity, bulk density, saturated water conductivity, soil organic matter were measured for each layer of the soil profile which is very close to the AMS sites. This data can be used in land surface model and ecological model. Soil profile position: The coordinate of the profile is listed as follow. No.1 to No.17 is corresponding to the AMS number in the Matrix. No. x y 1 100.3582 38.89322 2 100.3541 38.88697 3 100.3763 38.89057 5 100.3506 38.87577 6 100.3597 38.8712 7 100.3652 38.87677 8 100.3765 38.87255 9 100.3855 38.87241 10 100.3957 38.87569 11 100.342 38.86994 12 100.3663 38.86516 13 100.3785 38.86077 14 100.3531 38.85869 16 100.3641 38.8493 17 100.3697 38.84512 15 (superstation) 100.3721 38.85547 Gebi 100.3058 38.91801 Huazhaizi 100.3189 38.7652 Shenshawo 100.4926 38.78794 Instruments: Soil texture: Microtrac laser particle analyzer Porosity: Ring sampler law Bulk density: Ring sampler law Saturated Water Conductivity: hydrostatic head method Soil organic matter: Total organic carbon analyzer (TOC-VCPH) Measuring time: 2012-5-20 to 2012-7-10 (UTC+8). Measuring content: Soil texture, porosity, bulk density, saturated water conductivity, soil organic matter.

This dataset includes soil moisture and soil temperature observations of 75 BNUNET nodes during the period from May to September 2012 (UTC+8), which is one type of WSN nodes in the Heihe eco-hydrological wireless sensor network (WSN). The BNUNET located in the observation matrix of the HiWATER artificial oasis eco-hydrology experimental area. Each BNUNET node observes the soil temperature at 4 cm, 10 cm and 20 cm depth, and soil moisture at 4 cm depth with 10 minutes interval. This dataset can be used in the estimation of surface hydrothermal variables and their validation, eco-hydrological research, irrigation management and so on. The detail description please refers to "Data introduction.docx".

The dataset of airborne Polarimetric L-band Multibeam Radiometers (PLMR) was acquired on 4 July, 2012, located along the riverway of Heihe River in the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin. The aircraft took off at 10:50 am (UTC+8) from Zhangye airport and landed at 14:50 pm, with the flight time of 4 hours. The flight was performed in the altitude of about 1000 m and at the speed of about 220-250 km during the observation, corresponding to an expected ground resolution of about 300 m. The PLMR instrument flown on a small aircraft operates at 1.413 GHz (L-band), with both H- and V-polarizations at incidence angles of ±7.5°, ±21.5° and ±38.5°. PLMR ‘warm’ and ‘cold’ calibrations were performed before and after each flight. The processed PLMR data include 2 DAT files (v-pol and h-pol separately) and 1 KMZ file for each flying day. The DAT file contains all the TB values together with their corresponding beam ID, incidence angle, location, time stamp (in UTC) and other flight attitude information as per headings. The KMZ file shows the gridded 1-km TB values corrected to 38.5 degrees together with flight lines. Cautions should be taken when using these data, as the RFI contaminations are often higher than expected at v-polarization.