A multi-scale coastal vulnerability index: A tool for coastal managers?

Coastal hazard management involves the assessment of vulnerability in natural and human environments. Indices incorporating a diversity of indicators have therefore been used extensively to provide spatial analyses of the degree of vulnerability. Such indices are typically applied at global and national scales, and they involve varying degrees of simplification and aggregation of information. The degree of simplification that is desirable depends on the management scale, and higher resolution is required at the local compared to the global scale. To investigate the implications of spatial scale in depicting coastal hazard risk, coastal vulnerability indices were developed at national (Northern Ireland), local authority and site levels. Variables were separated into three sub-indices: a coastal characteristics sub-index concerned with the resilience and susceptibility of the coast to erosion, a coastal forcing sub-index to characterize the forcing variables contributing to wave-induced erosion and a socio-economic sub-index to assess the infrastructure potentially at risk. The three sub-indices were merged to calculate the overall index, which is portrayed in the form of colour-coded vulnerability maps. While a common tripartite index could be employed at national, regional and local scales, the nature of the data used to quantify many of the variables varies according to the scale of management. Some important local variations in vulnerability are masked by simplifications at the national scale. For some variables more detailed information is available as the spatial resolution of the study increases, while others become obsolete as data are of insufficient resolution to differentiate real variability at more detailed scales. The results highlight the importance of spatial scale in developing indices of vulnerability: while a common index architecture can be applied, the selection of variables must take account of the scale at which the hazard is to be assessed. It is likely that limits on index development will also be imposed by data availability at various scales.     

ESTIMATING EROSION RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LOGGING AND FOREST ROADS IN NORTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA1

ABSTRACT: Erosion resulting from logging and road building has long been a concern to forest managers and the general public. An objective methodology was developed to estimate erosion risk on forest roads and in harvest areas on private land in northwestern California. It was based on 260 plots sampled from the area harvested under 415 Timber Harvest Plans completed between November 1978 and October 1979. Results confirmed previous findings that most erosion related to forest management occurs on a small fraction of the managed area. Erosion features larger than the minimum size inventories in this study (> 13 yd³) occupied only 0.2 percent of the area investigated. Linear discriminant analysis was used to develop two equations for identifying critical sites (sites with erosion >100 yd³ac^?1). The equations were based on slope, horizontal curvature (an expression of local topography), and soil color (on road sites) or the strength of the underlying rocks (on harvest sites). The equations can be used in planning to estimate the erosion risk of proposed activities. They can also be used to estimate acceptable risk thresholds based on the value of competing resources.     

MODELING UPLAND EROSION1

ABSTRACT: We have developed a computer model of soil loss on an upland watershed from the continuity considerations for sediment transport and from equations describing rill and interrill erosion. The model is based on dividing the upland area into a grid containing rill and interill zones, on the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), and on equations describing detachment and transport capacity of rill flow. The USLE estimates the sediment load from the contributing areas. The location and amount of total erosion and deposition are determined by comparing the transport and detachment capacity of rill flow for specific storms. The model considers the mechanics of erosion process and can serve as basis for reservoir and channel design and land use planning.     

ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF WATERSHED PROJECTS - AN OVERVIEW METHODOLOGY AND APPLICATION1

ABSTRACT: Deforestation and intensive land use on a global scale has resulted in watershed deterioration and threatened municipal and irrigation reservoirs. Watershed rehabilitation programs must allocate funds to priority projects. A tool for decisionmakers is presented which provides a four-step overview economic analysis by the integration of physical and biological considerations. The overview tool is applied to a current proposed watershed project in Morocco.     

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS FOR STREAMBANK PROTECTION PROJECTS1

ABSTRACT: Streambank protection projects are intended to prevent streambank erosion, thereby preventing streambank failure and maintaining a desirable channel alignment. Streambank erosion is a natural process of unaltered, dynamic river systems, and protection projects seek to impose stability on this natural system. The environmental impacts of such projects are primarily changes to terrestrial and aquatic habitats and to aesthetics. Adverse environmental impacts have been minimized and enhancement of existing habitat and aesthetics have been achieved through the development of new, innovative designs or modifications to existing designs and through use of construction and maintenance practices that promote habitat and aesthetics. Designs based on channel flow characteristics, e.g., revetments using a variety of structural materials, can result in preservation of wildlife habitat by reducing the use of structural protection by matching the erosion potential of flow at the bank with the protection capability of the materials used. Designs based on streambed stabilization prevent bank failure caused by bank undermining, result in preservation or establishment of streamside vegetation, and enhance aesthetics. Protection schemes that manage and preserve floodplains, berms, and riparian areas preserve the natural condition of the floodplain area. Designs based on deflection of erosive flows, e.g., dikes, minimize disturbance to the bank vegetation and create low-velocity aquatic habitats. Use of vegetation for bank protection is most effective when used in combination with structural components. Construction and maintenance practices can be scheduled and modified to minimize impacts to floodplain areas and to enhance wildlife habitat while preserving the integrity of the protection structure.     

A DYNAMIC SYSTEM MODEL FOR SIMULATING SEDIMENT DISCHARGE1

ABSTRACT: A dynamic sediment discharge model was developed and proposed for the simulation of watershed systems. It war developed from an expansion of splash and flow erosion relationships under steady state conditions. It was described as a general erosion model that can be reduced to forms comparable to many conceptual soil erosion and sediment yield models. The model incorporates eight parameters such as rainfall intensities, runoff rates, and previous sediment discharges. The model was tested with two small watersheds with simulation results which were very satisfactory compared to the data.     

AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION PROGRAM: AN EVALUATION1

The Agricultural Conservation Program (ACP), is undergoing a new, rigorous evaluation to determine its effectiveness in conserving the Nation's agricultural soils and waters. ACP deals with many types of conservation practices, but the focus here is on the evaluation of soil and water related practices. ACP has depended heavily on the State and private forestry services, Soil Conservation Service, and the Cooperative Extension Services, for technical expertise. Thus, the process is an evaluation of the effectiveness of a “team of agencies,” as well as of the program itself. Results of the evaluation have helped to develop new thrusts which have moved ACP further into the position of treating the total conservation problem. Phase I has its limitations. It did not address the impact of wind erosion, water quality, change in productive capacity, soil quality, wildlife habitat, off site and farm income impacts. It does show that ACP has and is doing a very good job in meeting its stated purposes. It is clear that ACP's effectiveness can be improved with more and better advanced planning and more intensive use of soil maps, the USLE, and other scientific tools. ACP is headed in this direction.     

山西省主要地质灾害分析

着重讨论了山西省主要的地质灾害-地震、水土流失、地裂缝、地面塌陷的分布和成因。     

南方红壤区不同侵蚀程度下土壤有机质空间变异的影响因素研究

研究不同侵蚀程度下土壤有机质空间变异的影响因素对指导耕地利用和水土保持工作的开展具有重要意义。论文以江西省兴国县耕地土壤有机质为研究对象,分析了不同侵蚀程度下土壤有机质的空间变异及其影响因素。结果表明：随着侵蚀程度的加深,兴国县土壤有机质含量呈下降趋势。不同侵蚀程度下土壤有机质含量差异显著（P<0.001）,等级均为四级。变异系数由大到小依次为中度侵蚀（43.70%）>剧烈侵蚀（37.78%）>重度侵蚀（34.88%）>极强度侵蚀（34.44%）>无明显侵蚀（34.38%）>轻微侵蚀（28.91%）。在无明显侵蚀和轻微侵蚀时,高程和剖面构型是影响土壤有机质空间变异的主要因子。在中度侵蚀和重度侵蚀时,主要影响因素变为坡度。但在极强度侵蚀和剧烈侵蚀时,高程、坡度、坡向、成土母质和剖面构型对土壤有机质含量都影响显著（P<0.05）。因此,不同侵蚀程度下土壤有机质空间变异影响因素不尽相同。在不同侵蚀程度下合理开展耕地利用和水土保持工作有利于最大限度地节约资源。     

长江中下游悬浮物稀土元素地球化学特征及其对三峡工程的响应

通过分析枯水季(2008年1月)长江中下游干流和支流(湖泊)悬浮物的稀土元素(REE)组成,探讨三峡水库的泥沙拦截对该区域沉积物组成和干、支流输沙关系的影响。结果表明:长江干流宜昌至城陵矶段的REE变异系数显著大于城陵矶以下站位,且部分站位出现显著的Ce或Eu异常,该段沉积物的物质组成存在显著差异;洞庭湖沉积物继承了长江干流的REE组成特征;鄱阳湖和汉江等支流(湖泊),与干流的REE组成存在一定的差异,通过端元混合模型估算得,观测期间鄱阳湖和汉江对长江干流沉积物的贡献分别约为58%和23%。由此可见,三峡水库的运行,导致了长江中下游枯季的物质来源和组成发生改变:中游河床出现了显著的侵蚀,汉江和鄱阳湖等支流(湖泊)对干流的物质输送相对增加。