Ecosystem Consequences of Contrasting Flow Regimes in an Urban Effects Stream Mesocosm Study1

Abstract: A stream mesocosm experiment was conducted to study the ecosystem‐wide effects of two replicated flow hydrograph treatments programmed in an attempt to compare a simulated predevelopment condition to the theoretical changes that new development brings, while accounting for engineering design criteria for urban stormwater management. Accordingly, the treatments (three replicates each) differed in base flow between events and in the rise to, fall from, and duration of peak flow during simulated storm hydrographs, which were triggered by real rain events occurring outside over a 96‐day period from summer to fall, 2005. Incident irradiance, initial substrate quality, and water quality were similar between treatments. Sampling was designed to study the interactions among the treatment flow dynamics, sediment transport processes, streambed nutrients, and biotic structure and function. What appeared most important to the overall structure and function of the mesocosm ecosystems beyond those changes resulting from natural seasonality were (1) the initial mass of fines that infiltrated into the gravel bed, which had a persistent effect on nitrogen biogeochemistry and (2) the subsequent fine sediment accumulation rate, which was unexpectedly similar between treatments, and affected the structure of the macroinvertebrate community equally as the experiment progressed. Invertebrate taxa preferring soft beds dominated when the gravel was comprised of 5‐10% fines. The dominant invertebrate algal grazer had vacated the channels when fines exceeded 15%, but this effect could not be separated from what appeared to be a seasonal decline in insect densities over the course of the study. Neither hydrograph treatment allowed for scour or other potential for flushing of fines. This demonstrated the potential importance of interactions between hydrology and fine sediment loading dynamics on stream ecosystems in the absence of flows that would act to mobilize gravel beds.     

Spatial Variability of Nitrate Concentrations Under Diverse Conditions in Tributaries to a Lake Watershed1

Abstract: Nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃‐N) concentrations in stream water often respond uniquely to changes in inter‐annual conditions (e.g., biological N uptake and precipitation) in individual catchments. In this paper, we assess (1) how the spatial distribution of NO₃‐N concentrations varies across a dense network of nonnested catchments and (2) how relationships between multiple landscape factors [within whole catchments and hydrologically sensitive areas (HSAs) of the catchments] and stream NO₃‐N are expressed under a variety of annual conditions. Stream NO₃‐N data were collected during two synoptic sampling events across >55 tributaries and two synoptic sampling periods with >11 tributaries during summer low flow periods. Sample tributaries drain mixed land cover watersheds ranging in size from 0.150 to 312 km² and outlet directly to Cayuga Lake, New York. Changes in NO₃‐N concentration ratios between each sampling event suggest a high degree of spatial heterogeneity in catchment response across the Cayuga Lake Watershed, ranging from 0.230 to 61.4. Variations in NO₃‐N concentrations within each of the large synoptic sampling events were also high, ranging from 0.040 to 8.7 mg NO₃‐N/l (March) and 0.090 to 15.5 mg NO₃‐N/l (October). Although Pearson correlation coefficients suggest that this variability is related to multiple landscape factors during all four sampling events, partial correlations suggest percentage of row crops in the catchments as the only similar factor in March and October and catchment area as the only factor during summer low flows. Further, the strength of the relationships is typically lower in the HSAs of catchment. Advancing current understanding of such variations and relationships to landscape factors across multiple catchments – and under a variety of biogeochemical and hydrological conditions – is important, as (1) nitrate continues to be employed as an indicator of regional aquatic ecosystem health and services and (2) a unified framework approach for understanding individual catchment processes is a rapidly evolving focus for catchment‐based science and management.     

A Comparison of Statistical Approaches for Predicting Stream Temperatures Across Heterogeneous Landscapes1

Abstract: Estimating stream temperatures across broad spatial extents is important for regional conservation of running waters. Although statistical models can be useful in this endeavor, little information exists to aid in the selection of a particular statistical approach. Our objective was to compare the accuracy of ordinary least‐squares multiple linear regression, generalized additive modeling, ordinary kriging, and linear mixed modeling (LMM) using July mean stream temperatures in Michigan and Wisconsin. Although LMM using low‐rank thin‐plate smoothing splines to measure the spatial autocorrelation in stream temperatures was the most accurate modeling approach; overall, there were only slight differences in prediction accuracy among the evaluated approaches. This suggests that managers and researchers can select a stream temperature modeling approach that meets their level of expertise without sacrificing substantial amounts of prediction accuracy. The most accurate models for Michigan and Wisconsin had root mean square errors of 2.0‐2.3°C, suggesting that only relatively coarse predictions can be produced from landscape‐based statistical models at regional scales. Explaining substantially more variability in stream temperatures likely will require the collection of finer‐scale hydrologic and physiographic data, which may be cost prohibitive for monitoring and assessing stream temperatures at regional scales.     

唐家河保护区主要植被类型景观格局的梯度分析

在遥感图像基础上,利用GIS技术从景观指数方面定量分析了唐家河自然保护区主要植被类型在东西、南北和西北至东南3个方向上的梯度变化。结果表明：次生落叶阔叶林、常绿落叶阔叶混交林、针阔叶混交林与针叶林的梯度变化明显,并且在各方向上具有不同的变化特征。其中,常绿落叶阔叶混交林从西北至东南方向的梯度变化最为复杂, 斑块数量与面积分别呈“升-降-升-降”与“升-降-升”的波动变化趋势,而边界密度与平均最近距离呈先升后降的变化趋势,两端破碎度高但连接性好,中部相反。针叶林从北至南的梯度变化最为简单,斑块面积减少,破碎度与复杂度降低,南北两端分布较多,中部较少。唐家河自然保护区植被景观格局在不同方向上的梯度变化研究为地震后该地区的植被保护与管理提供重要指导意义。     

Quantifying disturbance effects on vegetation carbon pools in mountain forests based on historical data

Although the terrestrial carbon budget is of key importance for atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, little is known on the effects of management and natural disturbances on historical carbon stocks at the regional scale. We reconstruct the dynamics of vegetation carbon stocks and flows in forests across the past 100 years for a valley in the eastern Swiss Prealps using quantitative and qualitative information from forest management plans. The excellent quality of the historical information makes it possible to link dynamics in growing stocks with high-resolution time series for natural and anthropogenic disturbances. The results of the historical reconstruction are compared with modelled potential natural vegetation. Forest carbon stock at the beginning of the twentieth century was substantially reduced compared to natural conditions as a result of large scale clearcutting lasting until the late nineteenth century. Recovery of the forests from this unsustainable exploitation and systematic forest management were the main drivers of a strong carbon accumulation during almost the entire twentieth century. In the 1990s two major storm events and subsequent bark beetle infestations significantly reduced stocks back to the levels of the mid-twentieth century. The future potential for further carbon accumulation was found to be strongly limited, as the potential for further forest expansion in this valley is low and forest properties seem to approach equilibrium with the natural disturbance regime. We conclude that consistent long-term observations of carbon stocks and their changes provide rich information on the historical range of variability of forest ecosystems. Such historical information improves our ability to assess future changes in carbon stocks. Further, the information is vital for better parameterization and initialization of dynamic regional scale vegetation models and it provides important background for appropriate management decisions.     

城市景观生态网络规划的空间模式应用探讨

城市景观生态网络空间模式研究是生态城市和景观规划设计现今研究的重要领域之一,目的在于依据景观生态网络模式的应用建立起生态城市规划建设的基本框架和技术途径。在探讨城市景观生态系统特征和城市景观生态网络结构的基础上,总结景观生态网络空间模式并重点分析了水景树的空间生态模式、森林 道路 住宅复合网络模式、平原城市农田 灌木丛 河流交叉网络模式、岛屿城市的绿地 道路生态网络模式4种城市景观生态网络典型模式的图示特征及其生态意义。依此为理论指导基础,以都江堰为例,在继承都江堰大地景观格局并结合都江堰市灾后重建需求的前提下,研究都江堰市城市景观生态格局和生态过程,探讨在不同尺度和不同维度上运用4种网络图示进行都江堰城市景观生态网络优化调整的空间模式和对策。(1)依据“水景树图式”优化调整纵向维度景观生态格局;(2)依据“森林 道路 住宅”和“农田 灌木丛 河流”网络调整横向维度景观生态格局;(3)依据岛屿城市的“绿地 道路”景观生态网络调整城市组团景观生态格局.     

典型流域土地利用/覆被变化预测及景观生态效应分析——以太湖上游西苕溪流域为例

以太湖上游西苕溪流域为研究区,基于1985和2002年土地利用空间数据,结合土地利用变化的驱动因子,运用马尔科夫模型和CLUE S模型,模拟了研究区2020年土地利用的空间格局;在此基础上,通过对斑块类型和景观水平上格局指数的变化分析, 揭示研究区未来土地利用/覆被变化及其景观生态效应。结果表明： 按照1985～2002年土地利用变化的发展趋势,未来研究区土地利用变化主要表现为建设用地面积大幅度增加,耕地、林地面积减小,研究区未来景观格局指数将发生较大的变化。在景观尺度上,斑块数量、边缘密度、多样性指数、均匀度指数、分维数等指标都呈增加趋势,而斑块平均面积减小,表现出景观结构破碎化、斑块形状复杂化、景观向多样性和均匀化发展的特点;而从斑块类型水平上看,各景观类型之间的景观格局指数变化差异较大,反映了生态系统的复杂性.     

Differences in resistance of three subtropical vegetation types to experimental trampling

Experimental trampling trials using a standardized methodology were undertaken in 10 replicate blocks in three vegetation types in an urban reserve in the subtropics of Australia. In each block different intensities of trampling (controls, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400 and 500 passes) were applied, and vegetation parameters were measured pre-trampling, immediately after trampling and 2 weeks later. A Fern understorey had low resistance to trampling intensity, with reductions in relative vegetation height and cover with as few as 10 passes. A Tussock grass understorey showed moderate resistance with reduction in height at 25 passes and cover at 50 passes. A Disturbed grassland dominated by lawn grasses had the highest resistance, with reductions in vegetation height at 100 passes, but cover was affected by as few as 10 passes. The resistance indices (number of passes required to reduce vegetation cover by 50%) of three vegetation types were 210, 360 and 860 passes, respectively. When these values were compared with those for 52 other vegetation types considerable variation was found within life forms, climatic zones and vegetation types indicating that the response of a specific community may not always be predictable.     

Traffic mortality and the role of minor roads

Roads have large impacts on wildlife, as they form one of the principal causes of mortality, and disturbance and fragmentation of habitat. These impacts are mainly studied and mitigated on major roads. It is, however, a widespread misconception that most animals are killed on major roads. In this paper, we argue that minor roads have a larger impact on wildlife with respect to habitat destruction, noise load and traffic mortality. We use data on traffic related deaths in badgers (Meles meles) in The Netherlands to illustrate that traffic mortality is higher on minor roads. We ask for a more extensive investigation of the environmental impacts of minor roads. Moreover, we argue that the success of mitigation on roads drastically increases when both major and minor roads are integrated in the planning of traffic flows. Therefore, we propose a strategy based on the concept of a "traffic-calmed area". Traffic-calmed areas create opportunities for wildlife by decreasing limitations for animal movement. We ask for further studies to estimate what size traffic-calmed areas should be to maintain minimum viable animal populations.     

城市屋面绿化生态热效应

文章在享有“火炉”这称的山城重庆夏末季节对草坪层面与水泥屋面的热特性进行了对比实测分析,研究结果表明草坪屋面具有显著的生态热效应。