EFFECTS OF WATERSHED REPRESENTATION ON RUNOFF AND SEDIMENT YIELD MODELING1

ABSTRACT: This paper evaluates the effects of watershed geometric representation (i.e., plane and channel representation) on runoff and sediment yield simulations in a semiarid rangeland watershed. A process based, spatially distributed runoff erosion model (KINEROS2) was used to explore four spatial representations of a 4.4 ha experimental watershed. The most complex representation included all 96 channel elements identifiable in the field. The least complex representation contained only five channel elements. It was concluded that oversimplified watershed representations greatly influence runoff and sediment yield simulations by inducing excessive infiltration on hillslopes and distorting runoff patterns and sediment fluxes. Runoff and sediment yield decrease systematically with decreasing complexity in watershed representation. However, less complex representations had less impact on runoff and sediment‐yield simulations for small rainfall events. This study concludes that the selection of the appropriate level of watershed representation can have important theoretical and practical implications on runoff and sediment yield modeling in semiarid environments.     

ENHANCING FECAL COLIFORM TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD MODELS THROUGH BACTERIAL SOURCE TRACKING1

ABSTRACT: Surface water impairment by fecal coliform bacteria is a water quality issue of national scope and importance. In Virginia, more than 400 stream and river segments are on the Commonwealth's 2002 303(d) list because of fecal coliform impairment. Total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) will be developed for most of these listed streams and rivers. Information regarding the major fecal coliform sources that impair surface water quality would enhance the development of effective watershed models and improve TMDLs. Bacterial source tracking (BST) is a recently developed technology for identifying the sources of fecal coliform bacteria and it may be helpful in generating improved TMDLs. Bacterial source tracking was performed, watershed models were developed, and TMDLs were prepared for three streams (Accotink Creek, Christians Creek, and Blacks Run) on Virginia's 303(d) list of impaired waters. Quality assurance of the BST work suggests that these data adequately describe the bacteria sources that are impairing these streams. Initial comparison of simulated bacterial sources with the observed BST data indicated that the fecal coliform sources were represented inaccurately in the initial model simulation. Revised model simulations (based on BST data) appeared to provide a better representation of the sources of fecal coliform bacteria in these three streams. The coupled approach of incorporating BST data into the fecal coliform transport model appears to reduce model uncertainty and should result in an improved TMDL.     

基于可接受安全间距的单车道交通流模拟模型

交通流微观模拟是采用计算机对交通流进行描述及分析的方法。尤其对于复杂的交通流而言,微观模拟具有明显的优势,然而模拟的准确与否,关键在于模型的建立。笔者即是在研究我国单车道交通流特点的基础上,借鉴车道变换理论,基于驾驶员可接受的交通安全间距,分析安全变换车道的各间距之间的关系,阐述了有超车的单车道交通流模拟模型的建立方法     

池火灾热辐射的数值研究

通过列举储罐火灾事故,提出对池火灾进行研究的重要性。介绍目前池火灾国内外的研究现状及发展情况,描述池火灾燃烧特征和模型。应用化学流体力学基本定律,建立了描述池火灾过程的基本控制方程组,并根据适当的条件选择辐射模型。建立物理模型,做出合理假设,确定初始和边界条件,对池火灾热辐射过程进行数值模拟,得出火焰周围入射热流密度分布图,计算出相邻两罐之间的最小安全距离,应用于工程实际中,给防火间距的制定提供理论依据,计算结果定性合理。     

小城镇地震数字仿真与应急调度系统的研究

以地理信息系统为平台进行地震灾害研究,建立具有强大空间分析功能的信息系统,将发挥快速、准确的辅助决策作用.本文剖析了小城镇地震应急反应模式存在的弊端,明确了灾害空间的概念,并提出小城镇空间数据库的建库及三维可视化的技术方案.在基础信息数字化和可视化的基础上,开发了小城镇地震数字仿真与应急调度系统,实现了基于地震数字仿真结果,在相关数据库支持下进行地震应急调度决策.实践证明:该系统的运行,有利于小城镇抗震减灾的迅速决策;小城镇空间数据库的建库技术,贴合我国小城镇信息化的现状,技术可行、经济合理.     

Shapiro台风风场模型及其数值模拟

我国东南沿海是世界上台风最集中的地区之一,也是我国经济最发达和财富最集中的地区,台风引起的灾害损失巨大.数值模拟方法是目前进行台风危险性分析和估算极值风速普遍采用的方法,已有较多风场模型应用于台风区的极值风速估算,Shapiro风场模型是其中之一.首先介绍了Shapiro台风风场模型,然后采用有限差分法求解描述该风场模型的非线性偏微分方程组,利用两个实测台风的风速记录对该模型进行了验证,对该风场模型在我国东南沿海地区的应用做了初步尝试.     

两类常用森林火灾蔓延模型的比较

简要介绍了两类常用的森林火灾蔓延模型--邻接单元模型和波动传播模型的原理和实现方法.对作为离散模型的邻接单元模型和作为连续模型的波动传播模型的优、缺点作了系统的总结,并分析了它们对系统精度、实时性、复杂性、全局适应性、计算可靠性和整个模拟系统结构性能的影响.通过对比发现,两类模型在性能上的优势和局限有很强的互补性.因此,为了提高蔓延模型的性能,并使其不受火行为和地理要素复杂性的限制,有必要取长补短,通过现有的计算机技术将两者结合起来.     

基于系统动力学模型的影剧院人员疏散策略

随着社会的发展,人们对生命的重视程度日益增强,大型公共场所临灾情况下人员疏散问题的研究也越来越有实际意义.分析以往影剧院火灾事故可以发现,不正确的疏散逃生行为所引起的通道堵塞,是导致人员大量伤亡的一个主要原因.根据系统动力学原理,应用STELLA系统软件,建立了基于粗网络模型的人员疏散模型.以影剧院发生火灾为例,分析了采取不同疏散策略所产生的避难效果差异,找出了最佳的疏散策略.所提研究方法和建立的模型,对于合理设计疏散路线和优化建筑物的出口与通道结构具有一定的实用价值.     

Information Network Topologies for Enhanced Local Adaptive Management

We examined the principal effects of different information network topologies for local adaptive management of natural resources. We used computerized agents with adaptive decision algorithms with the following three fundamental constraints: (1) Complete understanding of the processes maintaining the natural resource can never be achieved, (2) agents can only learn by experimentation and information sharing, and (3) memory is limited. The agents were given the task to manage a system that had two states: one that provided high utility returns (desired) and one that provided low returns (undesired). In addition, the threshold between the states was close to the optimal return of the desired state. We found that networks of low to moderate link densities significantly increased the resilience of the utility returns. Networks of high link densities contributed to highly synchronized behavior among the agents, which caused occasional large-scale ecological crises between periods of stable and high utility returns. A constructed network involving a small set of experimenting agents was capable of combining high utility returns with high resilience, conforming to theories underlying the concept of adaptive comanagement. We conclude that (1) the ability to manage for resilience (i.e., to stay clear of the threshold leading to the undesired state as well as the ability to re-enter the desired state following a collapse) resides in the network structure and (2) in a coupled social–ecological system, the systemwide state transition occurs not because the ecological system flips into the undesired state, but because managers lose their capacity to reorganize back to the desired state. An erratum to this article can be found at .     

DRY AND WET WEATHER FLOW NUTRIENT LOADS FROM A LOS ANGELES WATERSHED1

Effective watershed management requires an accurate assessment of the pollutant loads from the associated point and nonpoint sources. The importance of wet weather flow (WWF) pollutant loads is well known, but in semi‐arid regions where urbanization is significant the pollutant load in dry weather flow (DWF) may also be important. This research compares the relative contributions of potential contaminants discharged in DWF and WWF from the Ballona Creek Watershed in Los Angeles, California. Models to predict DWF and WWF loads of total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate‐nitrogen, nitrite‐nitrogen, ammonia‐nitrogen, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and total phosphorus from the Ballona Creek Watershed for six water years dating from 1991 to 1996 were developed. The contaminants studied were selected based on data availability and their potential importance in the degradation of Ballona Creek and Santa Monica Bay beneficial uses. Wet weather flow was found to contribute approximately 75 percent to 90 percent of the total annual flow volume discharged by the Ballona Creek Watershed. Pollutant loads are also predominantly due to WWF, but during the dry season, DWF is a more significant contributor. Wet weather flow accounts for 67 to 98 percent of the annual load of the constituents studied. During the dry season, however, the portion attributable to DWF increases to greater than 40 percent for all constituents except biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. When individual catchments within the watershed are considered, the DWF pollutant load from the largest catchment is similar to the WWF pollutant load in two other major catchments. This research indicates WWF is the most significant source of nonpoint source pollution load on an annual basis, but management of the effects of the nonpoint source pollutant load should consider the seasonal importance of DWF.