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This research evaluates the operational heating and cooling energy consumption of cross-laminated timber (CLT) office buildings in China. The evaluations involve a comparison of the energy consumption of a reference RC structure and CLT system office buildings. Computational simulation results are based on IES-VE 2019 and show that the estimated heating energy saving ratio of CLT buildings in Harbin, Beijing, Shanghai, and Kunming to the reference structure are 11.97%, 22.11%, 30.94%, and 23.30% respectively. However, the CLT buildings consume more energy for cooling in the summer. The results of the research show significantly higher heating energy reductions for CLT buildings in the Cold Region and Severe Cold Regions of China. Thus, the application of the CLT system is better suited to northern China than southern China. The results of the research can be used in further assessment of the use of CLT systems in different climatic regions in China.

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Grasslands, accounting for one third of the world terrestrial land surface, are important in determining phosphorus (P) cycle at a global scale. Understanding the impacts of management on P inputs and outputs in grassland ecosystem is crucial in environmental management since a large amount of P is transported through rivers and groundwater and detained by sea reservoir every year. To better understand the P cycle in global grasslands, we mapped the distribution of different grassland types around the world and calculated the corresponding P inputs and outputs for each grassland type using data from the literature. The distribution map of P input and output revealed a nonequilibrium condition in many grassland ecosystems, with: (i) a greater extent of inputs than outputs in most managed grasslands, but (ii) a more similar inputs and outputs in the majority of natural grasslands. Based on the mass balance between P input and output, we developed a framework to achieve sustainable P management in grasslands and discussed the measures targeting a more balanced P budget. Greater challenge is usually found in heavily-managed than natural grasslands to establish the optimum amount of P for grass and livestock production while minimizing the adverse impacts on surface waters. This study provided a comprehensive assessment of P budget in global grasslands and such information will be critical in determining the appropriate P management measures for various grassland types across the globe.