Predicting Root Density in Streambanks1

Abstract: Roots of riparian vegetation increase streambank erosion resistance and structural stability; therefore, knowledge of root density and distribution in streambanks is useful for stream management and restoration. The objective of this study was to compare streambank root distributions for herbaceous and woody vegetation and to develop empirical models to predict root density. Root length density, root volume ratio, soil physical and chemical properties, and above‐ground vegetation densities were measured at 25 sites on six streams in southwestern Virginia. The Mann‐Whitney test was used to determine differences in root density along stream segments dominated by either woody or herbaceous vegetation. Multiple linear regression was used to develop relationships between root density and site characteristics. Study results showed that roots were evenly distributed across the bank face with the majority of roots having diameters less than 2 mm. Soil bulk density and above‐ground vegetation were key factors influencing root density. While significant relationships were developed to predict root density, the predictive capabilities of the equations was low. Because of the highly variable nature of soil and vegetation properties, it is recommended at this time that soil erodibility and root density be measured in the field for design and modeling purposes, rather than estimated based on empirical relationships.     

Assessment of Changes in Stream and Riparian Conditions of the Marys River Basin,Nevada1

Abstract: Stream and riparian managers must effectively allocate limited financial and personnel resources to monitor and manage riparian ecosystems. They need to use management strategies and monitoring methods that are compatible with their objectives and the response potential of each stream reach. Our objective is to help others set realistic management objectives by comparing results from different methods used to document riparian recovery across a diversity of stream types. The Bureau of Land Management Elko Field Office, Nevada, used stream survey, riparian proper functioning condition (PFC) assessment, repeat photographic analysis, and stream and ecological classification to study 10 streams within the Marys River watershed of northeast Nevada during all or parts of 20 years. Most riparian areas improved significantly from 1979 to 1992‐1993 and then additionally by 1997‐2000. Improvements were observed in riparian and habitat condition indices, bank cover, and stability, pool quality, bank angle, and depth of undercut bank. Interpretation of repeat photography generally confirmed results from stream survey and should be part of long‐term riparian monitoring. More attributes of Rosgen stream types C and E improved than of types B and F. A and Gc streams did not show significant improvement. Alluvial draws and alluvial valleys improved in more ways than V‐erosional canyons and especially V‐depositional canyons. Stream survey data could not be substituted for riparian PFC assessment. Riparian PFC assessments help interpret other data.     

Contaminant Retention Potential of Forested Filter Strips Established as SMZs in the Piedmont of Georgia1

Abstract: It is common practice in the United States and elsewhere to maintain vegetated filter strips adjacent to streams to retain contaminants in surface runoff. Most research has evaluated contaminant retention in managed agricultural field strips, while relatively few studies have quantified retention in forested filter strips, particularly for dissolved contaminants. Plot‐scale overland flow experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of natural forested filter strips established as streamside management zones (SMZs) for retaining phosphorus (P), atrazine, and picloram transported in runoff. Retention was evaluated for five different slope classes: 1‐2, 5‐7, 10‐12, 15‐17, and 20‐22%; two cover conditions: undisturbed forest floor (O horizon intact) and forest floor removed by raking; and two periods with contrasting soil moisture conditions: summer‐dry and winter‐wet season. Surface flow was collected at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 10 m within the filter strip to evaluate changes in solution concentration as it moved through the O horizon and the surface soil horizon mixing zone. On average, a 10 m length of forested SMZ with an undisturbed forest floor reduced initial solution concentration of total dissolved P by 51%, orthophosphate P by 49%, atrazine by 28%, and picloram by 5%. Percentages of mass retention through infiltration of water plus concentration reductions in runoff were 64% for total dissolved P, 62% for orthophosphate P, 47% for atrazine, and 28% for picloram for undisturbed forest floor conditions. Lower retention occurred following forest floor removal, particularly for P. Average dissolved P retention was 16% lower following forest floor removal. For undisturbed sites, differences in retention were more closely related to forest floor depth than to slope or antecedent soil moisture. These results indicate that forested SMZ filter strips provide a significant measure of surface water protection from dissolved P and herbicide delivery to surface water.     

污染负荷及植被生物量变化对缓冲带污染物净化效果的影响

模拟上海地区农业面源污染和降雨特征,进行缓冲带污染物净化效果和植被生物量监测试验研究。结果表明：植被缓冲带对径流污染物质的净化效果明显高于空白对照,百慕大缓冲带SS截留率最高,达到74％;白花三叶草对TN、TP的净化效果最好,去除率分别为28％和25％;百慕大和白花三叶草生物量最大,栽种当年9月份,两者地上部分的生物量鲜重分别达到了6.14和6.49 kg/m²,百慕大生长速度最快,当年9月份生物量几乎达到5月份的6倍;植被生物量增长明显提高了缓冲带截留径流污染物的效果,缓冲带SS截留率与生物量成显著线性相关,而污染负荷变化对缓冲带污染物净化效果的影响很小,明显弱于植被种类和生物量的变化。     

滨河湿地对农业非点源氮污染控制研究进展

氮素是农业径流最重要、最普遍的水体污染物。滨河湿地因受到陆地生境和水生生境双重影响而显得非常独特,作为重要的陆地和水生环境的生态交错带,滨河湿地能够阻断和改变水运污染物,特别是农业径流中的氮排入临近的小溪和河流。植物吸收和反硝化作用是滨河湿地两种最重要的截留和缓解氮负荷的有效途径,氮素可以通过生物转化、植物吸收、微生物暂时固氮等方式去除,但是永久性的去除氮却是通过反硝化过程来完成的。为了系统认识和了解滨河湿地生态系统对农业非点源氮污染控制过程,通过大量文献分析讨论了滨河湿地对农业非点源氮的净化能力、净化机制及其影响因素,并结合我国研究现状展望了该领域的研究前景。滨河湿地对农业非点源氮污染的控制作用研究将成为滨河湿地生态系统服务功能评价、滨河湿地生态系统健康与稳定的诊断和退化滨河湿地生态系统修复的重要基础理论。     

浑太河流域多尺度土地利用/景观格局与水质响应关系初步分析

选取浑太河流域为研究对象,采用GIS、相关性分析、多元线性回归分析等多种数理统计分析技术,从子流域和河岸缓冲区尺度分析了土地利用、景观格局对河流水质的影响。结果表明:农业用地面积比例在子流域和1000m河岸缓冲区尺度与NH4+-N、TN、BOD5和COND呈正相关;林地用地面积比例在子流域尺度和河岸缓冲区尺度均与CODMn呈负相关,在300m、400m、1000m河岸缓冲区尺度与TN呈负相关,在1000m河岸缓冲区尺度与COND呈负相关,在子流域与1000m河岸缓冲区尺度与NO3-呈正相关;草地在子流域尺度与NH4+-N、TN、TP、Chl、CODMn呈正相关;建设用地面积比例在子流域尺度与BOD5、COND、TN呈正相关。CONTAG在河岸带缓冲区尺度与COND、TN呈正相关,在子流域和河岸缓冲区尺度与均CODMn均呈正相关,在河岸缓冲区尺度与NO3-呈负相关;PD在子流域尺度上与TN呈正相关,ED在子流域尺度上与NO3-呈正相关,与NH4+呈负相关;SHDI在子流域与河岸缓冲区尺度与NO3-均呈负相关。相对于河岸缓冲区尺度,土地利用类型在子流域尺度上对水质的影响更为显著,表现在调整判定系数Adjusted R2更大。而景观格局指数中对水质影响最大的是CONTAG,相对于子流域尺度,CONTAG在缓冲区尺度上影响更为显著。     

碳化条件下混凝土中钢筋腐蚀pH阈值研究

目的 确定碳化条件下几种典型缓冲溶液及模拟混凝土孔隙液中钢筋的腐蚀pH阈值范围。方法 采用电化学阻抗谱法,对不同pH、不同配制方法的缓冲溶液及模拟混凝土孔隙液中的钢筋试片进行电化学测量,选用不同的等效电路进行拟合,对测量中钢筋试片发生的电化学过程进行简要阐述。结合阻抗谱测量结果、等效电路拟合结果及工作电极典型宏观形貌,判断钢筋试片腐蚀状态,给出不同溶液对应的钢筋腐蚀pH阈值范围。结果离子环境不同,各缓冲溶液及模拟混凝土孔隙液中钢筋腐蚀pH阈值均存在一定差异,位于9～10.5不等。结论 混凝土碳化引入的HCO₃~–和CO₃^2–对钢筋腐蚀有促进作用。混凝土孔隙液pH越低,钢筋腐蚀越容易发生。因此,仅根据pH判断混凝土中钢筋腐蚀状态的方法并不可靠。     

河岸芦苇、茭白和香蒲植物带处理受污染河水中试研究

利用中试规模的河岸植物带(芦苇、茭白、香蒲)及无植物空白带对受污染河水进行处理,并对它们处理结果进行比较.结果表明,3种植物均能强化污染物的去除.其中芦苇带效果最好,它在整个运行期间对COD、NH₄⁺-N和TP的去除效果分别为43.7%、79.5%和75.2%.对出水溶解氧与水温进行了考察,结果表明植物带水体的溶解氧变化比无植物带小,水温比无植物带低.其中,芦苇带水的溶解氧最高,香蒲带水温和溶解氧最低.芦苇、茭白、香蒲带对河水中污染物的去除和改善水环境条件等方面表现了不同的特点,在河岸带修复时应尽可能保证水生植物的多样性.     

生态恢复对退化河岸植物群落的作用 ——以重庆九龙外滩河岸带生态恢复为例

河岸带是陆地生态系统与水生生态系统之间的过渡地带,受人类干扰的威胁较大.长江是流经重庆都市区的主要河流,主城区两江四岸部分河岸硬化,河岸生态功能退化或丧失,生物多样性降低.本文以重庆主城区九龙外滩的河岸带为研究区域,通过调查,采用Ward最小方差法对植物群落类型进行划分,比较了生态恢复区域和自然区域的植物群落特征及优势...     

GRASS VERSUS TREES: MANAGING RIPARIAN AREAS TO BENEFIT STREAMS OF CENTRAL NORTH AMERICA1

ABSTRACT: Forestation of riparian areas has long been promoted to restore stream ecosystems degraded by agriculture in central North America. Although trees and shrubs in the riparian zone can provide many benefits to streams, grassy or herbaceous riparian vegetation can also provide benefits and may be more appropriate in some situations. Here we review some of the positive and negative implications of grassy versus wooded riparian zones and discuss potential management outcomes. Compared to wooded areas, grassy riparian areas result in stream reaches with different patterns of bank stability, erosion, channel morphology, cover for fish, terrestrial runoff, hydrology, water temperature, organic matter inputs, primary production, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and fish. Of particular relevance in agricultural regions, grassy riparian areas may be more effective in reducing bank erosion and trapping suspended sediments than wooded areas. Maintenance of grassy riparian vegetation usually requires active management (e.g., mowing, burning, herbicide treatments, and grazing), as successional processes will tend ultimately to favor woody vegetation. Riparian agricultural practices that promote a dense, healthy, grassy turf, such as certain types of intensively managed livestock grazing, have potential to restore degraded stream ecosystems.