Heavy metals of natural and reclaimed tidal riparian wetlands in south estuary, China

The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in two plant species (Scirpus tripueter Linn. and Cyperus malaccensis Lam.), water, and soils sampled from the reclaimed tidal riparian wetlands (RTRWs) and the natural riparian wetlands (NRWs) in the Pearl River estuary (PRE), were analyzed to investigate and compare their distribution and accumulation. The results show that the concentrations of the six studied heavy metals in soils exceed the eco-toxic threshold recommended by USEPA. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Zn in plants may lead to toxic effects compared to others.The hydraulic conditions and the degree of human disturbances can affect the heavy metal accumulation in RTRWs and NRWs. The heavy metal concentrations in water are higher whereas they are lower in soils of RTRWs Compared with that in the NRWs. The accumulation of heavy metals in the roots of plants is higher in NRWs than those in RTRWs while the opposite result is found for heavy metal accumulation in shoots. Based on the bioaccumulation and translocation factors, the plants in NRWs have the higher capacity to accumulate heavy metals, while higher abilities to transport heavy metals from roots to shoots are observed in RTRWs. Heavy metal contaminations in RTRWs are dominated by anthropogenic sources from both side uplands and river water, whereas in NRWs, the metal accumulations are simultaneously affected by anthropogenic and natural factors.     

Relationship between herbaceous community distribution and soil environmental factors in the riparian zone of the Baiyangdian River Basin北大核心CSCD

Riparian zone vegetation is an important part of the riparian ecosystem and plays an important role in the riparian zone functioning. Herbs, which are one of the main types of riparian vegetation, are extremely sensitive to environmental changes and human activities and have become a hot spot of riparian vegetation research. In this study, the herbaceous communities of four representative rivers (Xiaoyi, Baohe, Fuhe, and Baigouyin River) entering Baiyangdian Lake in China were researched. The herbaceous species in their riparian zones were systematically investigated using the sample plot method. The Shannon-Wiener diversity (H’), Pielou evenness (J), and Patrick richness (R) indices were estimated to examine the species composition and diversity of the herb communities, following which redundancy analysis (RDA) was conducted. The relationship between species diversity, distribution patterns of herbaceous plant communities, and soil environmental factors in the riparian zone of the four rivers is discussed. (1) Eighty-three species of herbaceous plants belonging to 66 genera and 27 families in the riparian zone entering Baiyangdian Lake. Most herbaceous plants, including Poaceae, Compositae, and Chenopodiaceae, were weeds or associated plants. Riparian vegetation was greatly affected by human disturbance. (2) All the three estimated indices of the Xiaoyi, Baigouyin, and Fuhe rivers were better than those of the Baohe River. (3) The vegetation coverage and species diversity of riparian herbaceous communities were positively correlated with soil organic matter and water content but negatively correlated with pH, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. Therefore, these communities are conducive to the restoration of vegetation and the stability of biodiversity in the riparian core area to reduce the disturbance of human activities and increase humidity. © 2022 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

竹林河岸带土壤反硝化脱氮效果模拟及机理研究

以太湖流域上游南苕溪流域农业区竹林河岸带土壤为研究对象,采用乙炔抑制法研究不同外源硝态氮（NO₃^--N）添加量(模拟添加NO₃^--N浓度分别为0、5和10 mg·L^-1的污水,分别用N0、N5和N10处理表示)对不同离水距离（0～3、3～6、6～12 m）、不同深度（0～10、10～20、20～40 cm）土壤反硝化速率的影响.结果表明,N0、N5和N10处理的土壤72 h内的反硝化速率均值分别为59.65、163.56和295.81μg·kg^-1·h^-1,不同处理间差异显著.N5和N10处理的土壤对外源NO₃^--N的脱氮率均值分别为0.45和0.51,且N5处理显著低于N10处理;土壤反硝化速率和对外源NO₃^--N脱氮率均随NO₃^--N添加量的增大而增加.土壤反硝化速率随离水距离的增加而降低,表层土壤的...     

Featured Collection Introduction: Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters

Connectivity is a fundamental but highly dynamic property of watersheds. Variability in the types and degrees of aquatic ecosystem connectivity presents challenges for researchers and managers seeking to accurately quantify its effects on critical hydrologic, biogeochemical, and biological processes. However, protecting natural gradients of connectivity is key to protecting the range of ecosystem services that aquatic ecosystems provide. In this featured collection, we review the available evidence on connections and functions by which streams and wetlands affect the integrity of downstream waters such as large rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries. The reviews in this collection focus on the types of waters whose protections under the U.S. Clean Water Act have been called into question by U.S. Supreme Court cases. We synthesize 40+ years of research on longitudinal, lateral, and vertical fluxes of energy, material, and biota between aquatic ecosystems included within the Act's frame of reference. Many questions about the roles of streams and wetlands in sustaining downstream water integrity can be answered from currently available literature, and emerging research is rapidly closing data gaps with exciting new insights into aquatic connectivity and function at local, watershed, and regional scales. Synthesis of foundational and emerging research is needed to support science‐based efforts to provide safe, reliable sources of fresh water for present and future generations.     

Streamside Forest Buffer Width Needed to Protect Stream Water Quality,Habitat, and Organisms: A Literature Review

This literature review addresses how wide a streamside forest buffer needs to be to protect water quality, habitat, and biota for small streams (≤~100 km² or ~5th order watershed) with a focus on eight functions: (1) subsurface nitrate removal varied inversely with subsurface water flux and for sites with water flux >50 l/m/day (~40% avg base flow to Chesapeake Bay) median removal efficiency was 55% (26‐64%) for buffers <40 m wide and 89% (27‐99%) for buffers >40 m wide; (2) sediment trapping was ~65 and ~85% for a 10‐ and 30‐m buffer, respectively, based on streamside field or experimentally loaded sites; (3) stream channel width was significantly wider when bordered by ~25‐m buffer (relative to no forest) with no additional widening for buffers ≥25 m; (4) channel meandering and bank erosion were lower in forest but more studies are needed to determine the effect of buffer width; (5) temperature remained within 2°C of levels in a fully forested watershed with a buffer ≥20 m but full protection against thermal change requires buffers ≥30 m; (6) large woody debris (LWD) has been poorly studied but we infer a buffer width equal to the height of mature streamside trees (~30 m) can provide natural input levels; (7, 8) macroinvertebrate and fish communities, and their instream habitat, remain near a natural or semi‐natural state when buffered by ≥30 m of forest. Overall, buffers ≥30 m wide are needed to protect the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of small streams.     

Instream Restoration to Improve the Ecohydrologic Function of a Subalpine Meadow: Pre‐implementation Modeling with HEC‐RAS

Vegetation in subalpine meadows in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is particularly vulnerable to lowering of groundwater levels because wet meadow vegetation is reliant upon shallow groundwater during the dry summer growing season. These ecosystems are especially vulnerable to channel incision as meadow aquifers are hydrologically connected to tributaries, and many have not yet recovered from previous anthropogenic influences. While instream restoration projects have become a common approach, lack of postrestoration monitoring and communication often result in a trial‐and‐error approach. In this study we demonstrate that preimplementation modeling of possible instream restoration solutions, chosen to raise stream stage and subsequently groundwater levels, is a useful tool for evaluating and comparing potential channel modifications. Modeling allows us to identify strategic locations and specific methods. Results show additional sediment depth and roughness on tributaries along with introduced woody debris (simulated by high roughness) on the Tuolumne River are the most effective means of raising stream stage. Results demonstrate that restoration efforts are most efficient in tributary streams. Managers and planners can more efficiently direct resources while minimizing the potential for negative impacts or failed restoration projects by modeling the possible effects of multiple restoration scenarios before implementation.     

河岸带不同植被格局对表层土壤养分分布和迁移特征的影响

河流周边的人类活动干扰使得河岸带的植被类型和结构发生了巨大变化。研究选取了北京市温榆河的3个类型河岸带植被结构,从河漫滩到河道上依次为：（I）杨树林-农田、（II）火炬树林-荒草、（III）农田-荒草。通过土壤采样分析和对比研究,发现河岸带的植被格局可以显著影响土壤养分的空间分布特征和流失风险。从河漫滩到河道的方向上,河岸带植被组合I的土壤全氮、全磷、有效氮、有效磷和有机质含量均呈现降低的趋势,而土壤容重则逐渐增加。对于植被结构类型II,土壤的全氮、有效氮和有机质呈现出波动的变化;而土壤的全磷和有效磷都呈现比较平缓的变化趋势。对于植被组合III,土壤养分含量均呈现增加的趋势,土壤容重呈现降低的趋势。河岸植被模式III的下坡位荒草区域的土壤养分和有机质含量都要显著高于其上坡位的农田区域,但农田区域的土壤容重则大于荒草区域。植被结构的异质性还可以影响到河岸样带的土壤平均养分含量和容重大小。研究结果可以为退化河岸带的植被恢复和植被格局的优化设计提供参考。     

淮河干流岸边带生态健康遥感评估

结合高分辨率遥感影像在岸边带范围提取、生态系统高精度分类、生态结构特征提取方面的优势,将景观结构指数纳入岸边带生态健康评估指标体系,从生态功能、生态结构和生态胁迫三个方面对淮河干流岸边带生态健康状况进行全面调查评估.评价结果显示,淮河干流岸边带生态健康指数低于0.3,生态健康状况总体处于较差水平,并具有明显的空间走向特征,从上游到中游呈现出生态环境状况逐渐变差、再略有改善的趋势.通过对淮河干流岸边带生态环境问题的分析,认为人类开发强度大、植被覆盖率低、自然岸线保有率低、人为干扰强度大是造成淮河干流岸边带生态健康状况较差的主要原因.     

铜陵市惠溪河滨岸带土壤重金属形态分布及风险评估

为揭示惠溪河滨岸带土壤重金属(Pb、Cu、Zn、Ni、Cr、Cd和As)形态分布和生态风险状况,沿河采集12个采样点的土壤样品,采用改进的Tessier五步连续提取法开展形态分析,并以Hkanson潜在生态危害指数法进行生态风险评估. 结果表明:①As和Cr以残渣态占绝对优势,Zn、Pb和Ni以残渣态和Fe-Mn氧化物结合态为主,Cu则以残渣态和有机结合态为主,Cd具有形态多样的分布特征;②7种重金属污染程度排序为As＞Cd＞Zn＞Cu＞Pb＞Ni＞Cr,潜在生态风险大小排序为Cd＞As＞Cu＞Pb＞Ni＞Zn＞Cr,其中Cd和As属极高风险等级,Cu为中等风险等级,其他4种元素则为轻微风险等级;③根据潜在生态风险指数,小倪村、狼尾湖右岸和大倪村采样点属于高风险等级,其他9个采样点均属于很高风险等级;④由综合污染及潜在生态风险贡献率水平,初步判定As和Cd为惠溪河滨岸土壤重金属污染治理和修复的优先控制对象.      

Changes in Avian and Plant Communities of Aspen Woodlands over 12 Years after Livestock Removal in the Northwestern Great Basin

Abstract: Riparian and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) woodlands are centers of avian abundance and diversity in the western United States, but they have been affected adversely by land use practices, particularly livestock grazing. In 1990, cattle were removed from a 112,500‐ha national wildlife refuge in southeastern Oregon. Thereafter, we monitored changes in vegetation and bird abundance in years 1–3 (phase 1) and 10–12 (phase 2) in 17 riparian and 9 snow‐pocket aspen plots. On each 1.5‐ha plot, we sampled vegetation in 6 transects. Three times during each breeding season, observers recorded all birds 50 m to each side of the plot's 150‐m centerline for 25 minutes. We analyzed data with multivariate analysis of variance and paired t tests with p values adjusted for multiple comparisons. In both periods, riparian and snow‐pocket aspen produced extensive regeneration of new shoots ( stems/ha and 7079 stems/ha, respectively). By phase 2, a 64% increase in medium‐diameter trees in riparian stands indicated successful recruitment into the overstory, but this pattern was not seen in snow‐pocket stands, where the density of trees was over 2 times greater. By phase 2 in riparian and snow‐pocket stands, native forb cover had increased by 68% and 57%, respectively, mesic shrub cover had increased by 29% and 58%, and sagebrush cover had decreased by 24% and 31%. Total avian abundance increased by 33% and 39% in riparian and snow‐pocket aspen, respectively, ground or understory nesters increased by 133% and 67% and overstory nesters increased by 34% and 33%. Similarly, ground or understory foragers increased by 25% and 32%, aerial foragers by 55% and 57%, and overstory foragers by 66% and 43%. We interpreted the substantial regeneration of aspen shoots, increased densities of riparian forbs and shrubs, and increased avian abundances as a multitrophic‐level response to the total removal of livestock and as substantial movement toward recovery of biological integrity.