Physical and Chemical Connectivity of Streams and Riparian Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Synthesis

Streams, riparian areas, floodplains, alluvial aquifers, and downstream waters (e.g., large rivers, lakes, and oceans) are interconnected by longitudinal, lateral, and vertical fluxes of water, other materials, and energy. Collectively, these interconnected waters are called fluvial hydrosystems. Physical and chemical connectivity within fluvial hydrosystems is created by the transport of nonliving materials (e.g., water, sediment, nutrients, and contaminants) which either do or do not chemically change (chemical and physical connections, respectively). A substantial body of evidence unequivocally demonstrates physical and chemical connectivity between streams and riparian wetlands and downstream waters. Streams and riparian wetlands are structurally connected to downstream waters through the network of continuous channels and floodplain form that make these systems physically contiguous, and the very existence of these structures provides strong geomorphologic evidence for connectivity. Functional connections between streams and riparian wetlands and their downstream waters vary geographically and over time, based on proximity, relative size, environmental setting, material disparity, and intervening units. Because of the complexity and dynamic nature of connections among fluvial hydrosystem units, a complete accounting of the physical and chemical connections and their consequences to downstream waters should aggregate over multiple years to decades.     

我国学者在青藏高原生态系统甲烷排放研究方面取得重要成果

中国科学院西北高原生物研究所网页上发布信息:《自然》等著名学术刊物、媒体报道我国科学家在青藏高原生态系统甲烷排放研究方面的最新成果(http://www.nwipb.ac.cn/xwzx/zhxw/200808/t20080829_1674857.html)报道,高寒草甸植物能够释放甲烷,但是草本植物群落和木     

Integrating channel design and assessment methods based on sediment transport capacity in gravel bed streams

Natural channel design (NCD) and analytical channel design (ACD) are two competing approaches to stable channel design that share fundamental similarities in accounting for sediment transport processes with designs based on hybrid fluvial geomorphology and hydraulic engineering methods. In this paper, we highlight the linkage between ACD's capacity/supply ratio (CSR) and NCD's sediment capacity models (FLOWSED/POWERSED), illustrating how ACD and NCD have reached a point of convergent evolution within the stream restoration toolbox. We modified an existing CSR analytical spreadsheet tool which enabled us to predict relative channel stability using both conventional bed load transport equations and regional sediment regression curves. The stable channel design solutions based on measured data most closely matched the Parker (ACD) and/or Pagosa good/fair (NCD) relationships, which also showed the greatest CSR sensitivity in response to channel alterations. We found that CSR differences among the transport relationships became more extreme the further the design width deviated from the supply reach, suggesting that a stable upstream supply reach may serve as the best design analog. With this paper, we take a step toward resolving lingering controversy in the field of stream restoration, advancing the science and practice by reconciling key differences between ACD and NCD in the context of reach scale morphodynamics.     

青海湖高寒湿地生态系统夏季CO2通量日变化及其影响因子研究

利用涡度相关技术对青海湖高寒湿地生态系统夏季CO２通量日变化特征进行分析,并且结合气象观测数据对CO２通量日变化的影响因子进行探讨。结果表明,青海湖高寒湿地生态系统夏季CO２通量日变化呈“U”字型,白天8：00—20：00 CO２通量值为负,其他时间为正,最低值出现在12：30,为-15.34 μmol·m-2·s-1。CO２通量日平均值为-3.65 μmol·m-2·s-1（约-13.87 g·m-2·d-1）,表现为明显的CO２吸收,是重要的碳汇。CO２通量与净辐射、气温和表层土壤温度的相关性分析表明,净辐射是影响青海湖高寒湿地生态系统夏季CO２通量日变化的主要因子,气温次之,表层土壤温度对CO２通量的影响最小。采用多元回归分析得出CO２通量与各个影响因子之间的关系符合三元一次线性回归方程,R2=0.689,且达到极显著水平（P〈0.01）。     

Effects of bisphenol A on Gammarus fossarum and Lumbriculus variegatus in artificial indoor streams

The impact of bisphenol A (BPA) on Gammarus fossarum and Lumbriculus variegatus was studied in four artificial indoor streams (0, 5, 50 and 500?µg?L^?1 BPA, nominal) over 103 days in a pulse–dose exposure scenario (weekly BPA application). For G. fossarum populations at day 103, the proportions of juveniles and of breeding females from the highest BPA treatment were in tendency reduced. For individually exposed gammarid pairs an EC₁₀ of 17?µg?L^?1 BPA (nominal) for the proportion of reproductive females in the fourth brood was determined. During the first three broods, the largest brood size occurred at the highest BPA concentration, whereas in the fourth brood it decreased concentration-dependently (fourth brood EC₁₀?=?5?µg?L^?1 BPA, nominal). Effects on L. variegatus were a reduced population growth (103?d-EC₁₀ of 2?µg?L^?1 BPA, nominal) and an increase in dry weight and the number of segments in large, complete worms.     

植被根系及其土壤理化特征在高寒小嵩草草甸退化演替过程中的变化

以野外样地调查和室内分析法研究了不同退化演替阶段高寒小嵩草草甸的植被根系空间变化和土壤环境因子间的关系。结果表明,不同退化演替阶段高寒小嵩草草甸群落植被根系和蕴育植被根系的土壤量发生了明显的变化。特别是0~10 cm土层的植被根系在重度退化阶段显著高于其它退化演替阶段（P〈0.05）,而蕴育植被根系的＂载体＂量在重度退化阶段显著低于其它退化演替阶段（P〈0.05）,根土比（根和土的重量比）明显高于其它退化演替阶段（P〈0.05）;随着退化演替阶段的进行,高寒小嵩草草甸群落物种数、地上部分、植被根系锐减,群落结构和功能明显发生变化;不同退化演替阶段,植被根系（0~40 cm）的垂直分布、根土比与土壤容重、土壤含水量以及土壤中N、P含量存在一定的相关性;不同退化演替阶段高寒小嵩草草甸土壤理化特性的变化影响草地群落地上部分和植被根系;土壤的稳定性是草地生产稳定和恢复的重要因素,在评价与改良退化草地时,要充分了解土壤的退化程度。在高寒草甸地下根系取样方法难以统一,而且土壤表层根系和土壤很难难以分离,加之根系采样破坏性大、工作量大,根土比可能是指示高寒草甸退化程度相对可靠的量化指标。     

草地退化对三江源区高寒草甸生态系统CO2通量的影响及其原因

为了揭示草地退化对三江源地区高寒草甸生态系统碳通量的影响,利用涡度相关技术,于2006年12月1日~2007年11月30日对三江源地区的退化高寒草甸生态系统的碳通量及生物和环境因子进行观测.结果发现:草地退化对高寒草甸生态系统的碳通量产生了深刻影响,与未退化的高寒草甸生态系统相比,退化高寒草甸生态系统全年总初级生产力(GPP)下降了36.6%,全年生态系统呼吸(Reco)下降了7.9%,全年净生态系统CO2交换(NEE)也由退化前的负值(碳吸收)转变为正值(碳排放),二者相差132.5gC/(m2·a),生态系统由原来的碳汇转变为目前的碳源.这些变化与高寒草甸退化后,生态系统植物地上生物量锐减、植物生长期缩短(NEE<0的天数)、植物多样性下降、土壤含水量降低等因素密切相关.     

UV-B辐射增强对麻花艽叶片光合作用及相关生理参数的影响

采用20 W和40 W的UV-B灯辐射增强处理,测定分析了UV-B辐射增强对麻花艽(Gentiana straminea Maxim)叶片净光合速率及相关生理参数的影响. 结果显示:2008年8月3日,研究区大气温度从09:00开始上升,到14:00达到最高点,叶温和大气饱和水气压变化与气温变化趋势相似;光合有效辐射强度从07:00开始上升,至13:00达到最高,之后下降;麻花艽叶片净光合作用速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)、蒸腾速率(E)和水分利用效率在对照下最高,在40 W UV-B辐射下最低;P_n在08:00—10:00最高,G_s在07:00—08:00最高,C_i在日出及日落时最高,E在09:00—13:00及14:00—18:00最高,水分利用效率在日出后最高;P_n与G_s,叶片温度,大气温度,光合有效辐射和大气饱和水气压亏缺呈正相关,与C_i呈负相关,与光合有效辐射强度的相关系数较高. P_n在光合有效辐射强度为0～800 μmol/(m2·s)时随光合有效辐射强度增加而增加,在2 200～3 000 μmol/(m2·s)时变化不大;G_s和E随光合有效辐射强度的增加而增加;C_i在光合有效辐射强度为0～800 μmol/(m2·s)时,随光合有效辐射强度的增加而呈下降趋势;水分利用效率在光合有效辐射强度为0～800 μmol/(m2·s)时随光合有效辐射强度的增加而呈增加的趋势,在800～3 000 μmol/(m2·s)时呈下降趋势. 说明UV-B辐射增强将使高寒草甸植物叶片P_n,G_s,C_i,E和水分利用效率降低.      

Effects of Reduced-Impact Logging on Fish Assemblages in Central Amazonia

Abstract: In Amazonia reduced‐impact logging, which is meant to reduce environmental disturbance by controlling stem‐fall directions and minimizing construction of access roads, has been applied to large areas containing thousands of streams. We investigated the effects of reduced‐impact logging on environmental variables and the composition of fish in forest streams in a commercial logging concession in central Amazonia, Amazonas State, Brazil. To evaluate short‐term effects, we sampled 11 streams before and after logging in one harvest area. We evaluated medium‐term effects by comparing streams in 11 harvest areas logged 1–8 years before the study with control streams in adjacent areas. Each sampling unit was a 50‐m stream section. The tetras Pyrrhulina brevis and Hemigrammus cf. pretoensis had higher abundances in plots logged ≥3 years before compared with plots logged <3 years before. The South American darter (Microcharacidium eleotrioides) was less abundant in logged plots than in control plots. In the short term, the overall fish composition did not differ two months before and immediately after reduced‐impact logging. Temperature and pH varied before and after logging, but those differences were compatible with normal seasonal variation. In the medium term, temperature and cover of logs were lower in logged plots. Differences in ordination scores on the basis of relative fish abundance between streams in control and logged areas changed with time since logging, mainly because some common species increased in abundance after logging. There was no evidence of species loss from the logging concession, but differences in log cover and ordination scores derived from relative abundance of fish species persisted even after 8 years. For Amazonian streams, reduced‐impact logging appears to be a viable alternative to clear‐cut practices, which severely affect aquatic communities. Nevertheless, detailed studies are necessary to evaluated subtle long‐term effects.     

Reach‐Scale Geomorphic and Biological Effects of Localized Streambank Armoring

Armoring of streambanks is a common management response to perceived threats to adjacent infrastructure from flooding or erosion. Despite their pervasiveness, effects of reach‐scale bank armoring have received less attention than those of channelization or watershed‐scale hydromodification. In this study, we explored mechanistic ecosystem responses to armoring by comparing conditions upstream, within, and downstream of six stream reaches with bank armoring in Southern California. Assessments were based on four common stream‐channel assessment methods: (1) traditional geomorphic measures, (2) the California Rapid Assessment Method for wetlands, (3) bioassessment with benthic macroinvertebrates, and (4) bioassessment with stream algae. Although physical responses varied among stream types (mountain, transitional, and lowland), armored segments generally had lower slopes, more and deeper pools and fewer riffles, and increased sediment deposition. Several armored segments exhibited channel incision and bank toe failure. All classes of biological indicators showed subtle, mechanistic responses to physical changes. However, extreme heterogeneity among sites, the presence of catchment‐scale disturbances, and low sample size made it difficult to ascribe observed patterns solely to channel armoring. The data suggest that species‐level or functional group‐level metrics may be more sensitive tools than integrative indices of biotic integrity to local‐scale effects.