Dissolved organic carbon concentrations and fluxes in forest catchments and streams: DOC-3 model

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in south-western Nova Scotia streams, sampled at weekly to biweekly intervals, varied across streams from about 3 to 40 mg L⁻¹, being highest mid-summer to fall, and lowest during winter to spring. A 3-parameter model (DOC-3) was proposed to project daily stream DOC concentrations and fluxes from modelled estimates for daily soil temperature and moisture, year-round, and in relation to basin size and wetness. The parameters of this model refer to (i) a basin-specific DOC release parameter “k_DOC^”, related to the wet- and open-water area percentages per basin, (ii) the lag time “τ” between DOC production and subsequent stream DOC emergence, related to the catchment area above the stream sampling location; and (iii) the activation energy “Ea”, to deal with the temperature effect on DOC production. This model was calibrated with the 1988-2006 DOC concentration data from three streams (Pine Marten, Moosepit Brook, and the Mersey River sampled at or near Kejimkujik National Park, or KNP), and was used to interpret the biweekly 1999-2003 DOC concentrations data (stream, ground and lake water, soil lysimeters) of the Pockwock-Bowater Watershed Project near Halifax, Nova Scotia. The data and the model revealed that the DOC concentrations within the streams were not correlated to the DOC concentrations within the soil- and groundwater, but were predictable based on (i) the hydrologically inferred weather-induced changes in soil moisture and temperature next to each stream, and (ii) the topographically inferred basin area and wet- and open-water area percentages associated with each stream (R² = 0.53; RMSE = 3.5 mg L⁻¹). Model-predicted fluxes accounted 74% of the hydrometrically determined DOC exports at KNP.     

Assessment of Tree Rings as a Hydrologic Record in a Humid Subtropical Environment1

Crockett, Kris, Jonathan B. Martin, Henri D. Grissino-Mayer, Evan R. Larson, and Thomas Mirti, 2010. Assessment of Tree Rings as a Hydrologic Record in a Humid Subtropical Environment. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 1-13. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00464.x Abstract: Information about long-term variability of streamflow is important to allocate water resources, but few historical records extend more than 75 years into the past, requiring proxy records to evaluate flow prior to that time. Flow proxies have been found in tree-ring widths in temperate regions, but have rarely been used in humid subtropical environments because the relationship between tree growth and climate was believed to be weakened by limited seasonality and stress on tree growth from drought conditions. Tree-ring residual chronologies from two forests sampled from northern Florida correlate well with historical annual discharge (r² values as high as 0.47) from 3 of 15 river-gauging stations that were used to compare with the tree-ring chronologies. The best correlations occur where streamflow has little contribution from spring discharge or continuous flow from lakes and wetlands. Streams lack correlations with the tree-ring residual chronologies (r² values as low as 0.0002) where springs and continuous discharge from lakes mute variations in their flow. Tree-ring chronologies appear to be useful for reconstruction of prehistorical variations of some streamflow in humid subtropical regions, but interpretations of the reconstructions must consider the local hydrologic conditions.     

应用人工阶梯 深潭系统治理泥石流沟的尝试

泥石流的主要破坏性在于其能量巨大,输送大量物质造成生命财产损失,消耗泥石流的起动及运动能量能防止泥石流发生或使泥石流的破坏性大大降低,为泥石流治理提供了新的思路。通过在甘肃西汉水流域的泥石流支沟拦山沟进行人工阶梯 深潭系统试验,2009~2010年汛期观测发现阶梯 深潭系统能增强沟道阻力,抬高侵蚀基准面,从而控制侵蚀下切,且多级的阶梯 深潭系统通过跌水和水跃能有效消散水流能量,在一定程度上抑制了泥石流的起动和加速,使得泥石流在阶梯上游停留堆积,淤满的阶梯在河床纵剖面仍能保持阶梯形态,起到增强阻力消能的作用,减小了拦山沟泥石流对下游的破坏。消能结构对大坡度山区河流起重要作用,不论是人工消能结构还是自然消能结构,都能起到增阻消能的作用,对山区河流治理起到积极的作用     

Effects of Urbanization on the Distribution and Abundance of Amphibians and Invasive Species in Southern California Streams

Abstract:  Urbanization negatively affects natural ecosystems in many ways, and aquatic systems in particular. Urbanization is also cited as one of the potential contributors to recent dramatic declines in amphibian populations. From 2000 to 2002 we determined the distribution and abundance of native amphibians and exotic predators and characterized stream habitat and invertebrate communities in 35 streams in an urbanized landscape north of Los Angeles (U.S.A.). We measured watershed development as the percentage of area within each watershed occupied by urban land uses. Streams in more developed watersheds often had exotic crayfish ( Procambarus clarkii ) and fish, and had fewer native species such as California newts ( Taricha torosa ) and California treefrogs ( Hyla cadaverina ). These effects seemed particularly evident above 8% development, a result coincident with other urban stream studies that show negative impacts beginning at 10–15% urbanization. For Pacific treefrogs ( H. regilla ), the most widespread native amphibian, abundance was lower in the presence of exotic crayfish, although direct urbanization effects were not found. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities were also less diverse in urban streams, especially for sensitive species. Faunal community changes in urban streams may be related to changes in physical stream habitat, such as fewer pool and more run habitats and increased water depth and flow, leading to more permanent streams. Variation in stream permanence was particularly evident in 2002, a dry year when many natural streams were dry but urban streams were relatively unchanged. Urbanization has significantly altered stream habitat in this region and may enhance invasion by exotic species and negatively affect diversity and abundance of native amphibians.     

LONG-TERM AQUATIC HABITAT RESTORATION: MAHOGANY CREEK,NEVADA, AS A CASE STUDY1

ABSTRACT: We compared the recovery from abusive grazing of aquatic habitat due to different range management on two geomorphically similar rangeland streams in northwest Nevada. Managers excluded livestock from the Mahogany Creek watershed from 1976 to 1990 while allowing rotation of rest grazing on its tributary Summer Camp Creek. Bank stability, defined as the lack of apparent bank erosion or deposition, improved through the study period on both streams, but periodic grazing and flooding decreased stability more on Summer Camp Creek than flooding alone on Mahogany Creek. Pool quantity and quality on each stream decreased because of coarse woody debris removal and sediment deposition during a drought. Fine stream bottom sediments decreased five years after the removal of livestock, but sedimentation increased during low flows in both streams below road crossings. Tree cover increased 35 percent at both streams. Thus, recovery of stability and cover and decreased sedimentation are compatible with rotation of rest grazing on Summer Camp Creek. Width/depth ratio and gravel/cobble percent did not change because they are inherently stable in this stream type. Management activities such as coarse woody debris removal limited pool recover and road crossings increased sedimentation.     

IMPROVED ESTIMATION OF ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS USING AN EMPIRICAL BAYES METHOD1

ABSTRACT: The US Environmental Protection Agency is currently developing guidance for assessing environmental impact using biocriteria within a regulatory framework. Of particular interest are statistical methods of design and analysis to test for impairment of biological assemblages in stream ecosystems associated with water pollution. Current recommendations emphasize frequentist statistical methods with the problem expressed as one of classical hypothesis testing. An empirical Bayes approach is proposed here as an alternative and applied for multi-site inference. The advantages of an empirical Bayes approach, in particular the substantive contribution of collateral information from nearby sites, are discussed in contrast to traditional methods that employ site-specific information only. The approach is illustrated in an application concerning trends in the Index of Biotic Integrity (IHI) for the Scioto River in Ohio.     

Lateral Hyporheic Zone Chemistry in an Artificially Constructed Gravel Bar and a Re‐Meandered Stream Channel,Southern Ontario,Canada1

Abstract: The effect of stream restoration on hyporheic functions has been neglected, although channel rehabilitation projects have a potential to alter stream‐ground‐water interactions. The present study examined the effect of an artificially constructed gravel bar and re‐meandered stream channel on lateral hyporheic exchange flow and chemistry in two lowland N‐rich streams in southern Ontario, Canada. Nitrate concentrations were relatively high, ranging from 0.5 to 1.3 mg N/l in both streams during spring through fall months. However, nitrate concentrations showed a steep decline as stream water entered the gravel bar and the meander bends. Differences between observed and predicted nitrate concentrations based on conservative ion concentration patterns indicated that 40‐100 and 68‐98% of the nitrate entering the hyporheic zone was removed in the gravel bar and meanders, respectively. Rapid depletion of dissolved oxygen concentrations along lateral hyporheic flow paths and denitrifying potentials assayed by the acetylene block technique in hyporheic sediments suggests that denitrification was an important mechanism of nitrate depletion. Despite the high rate of nitrate removal, the flux of stream water laterally entering the constructed gravel bar and meander bends was very small, and hyporheic nitrate removal was <0.015% of the daily stream load during base‐flow periods in summer and fall. The effects of restoration projects on hyporheic zone dynamics are often limited in lowland streams by low channel gradients and fine floodplain sediments with low interstitial flows that restrict the magnitude of the stream‐hyporheic connection.     

川西亚高山针叶林人工恢复过程的土壤性性质变化

研究川西岷江上游高山针叶林区不同年龄阶段的人工云杉林地凋落物及其养分贮量和土壤养分及主要理化性质的变化趋势,结果表明：（1）人工云杉林的凋落物及其氮、磷、钾贮量、以60年代抚育成熟林最高,40年代抚育成熟林大幅度下降,分别下降34．1％及49．8％,70．5％,46．7％;（2）人工云杉林地表土的有机质、全氮、全磷随林龄的增加而降低,据典型土壤剖面资料,40年代比60年代抚育林土壤分别降低72．4％,78．6％,42．2％;（3）相应于土壤有机质的变化,与60年代人工云杉成熟林相比,40年代成熟林土壤的自然含水量、总孔工、保肥力（CEC）和交换性盐某养分等均明显降低,表现出肥力退化的趋势,因此,当人工云杉林达到成熟林后,后采取诸如适当间伐等措施,以改善林地生态条件,避免土壤肥力退化,图4表6参11。     

Restoration of stream ecosystem integrity in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

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不同取样尺度下亚高山草甸土壤呼吸的空间变异特征

基于对4个取样尺度(10、5、2.5、1.25 m)下亚高山草甸土壤呼吸速率的观测,对不同尺度土壤呼吸的空间变异特征进行了研究,分析了不同尺度土壤全氮、有机碳、碳氮比、全硫、土壤温度和土壤水分对土壤呼吸空间异质性的影响,并对各尺度不同置信水平与估计精度下的必要采样数量进行了计算.结果表明:除1.25 m和2.5 m尺度上土壤温度的空间变异属于弱变异外,土壤呼吸及其相关因子的空间变异均属于中等变异,土壤呼吸和土壤温度的变异系数随着取样尺度的增大而增大,而土壤全氮、有机碳、全硫和土壤水分的变异系数随着取样尺度的增大均有减小的趋势;不同取样尺度,影响土壤呼吸的关键因子不同.在10 m尺度,土壤呼吸与土壤全氮、有机碳呈极显著正相关,与土壤温度呈显著正相关,与土壤全硫、碳氮比和土壤水分相关性不显著;在5 m尺度,与土壤全氮和有机碳呈极显著正相关,与土壤全硫、碳氮比、土壤水分和土壤温度相关性不显著;在2.5 m尺度,与土壤有机碳、全氮和土壤水分呈极显著正相关,与土壤全硫、碳氮比和土壤温度相关性不显著;在1.25 m尺度,与土壤全氮、有机碳和土壤水分呈极显著正相关,与碳氮比呈显著负相关,与土壤温度呈极显著负相关,与土壤全硫相关性不显著.随着取样尺度的减小,土壤水分所起的作用逐渐增大,相关系数从0.27~0.49,土壤温度与土壤呼吸的相关性由显著正相关向极显著负相关变化;4个取样尺度95%置信水平误差在10%和20%内必要采样数量分别为28、21、18、14个和7、5、4、4个,随着取样尺度的减小,必需的采样数量减少.