An erosion-based land classification system for military installations

The universal soil loss equation (USLE) has been integrated with a geographic information system known as the geographical resources analysis support system (GRASS) to create a land classification system for use by military trainers and land managers to minimize the environmental impacts of military training activities. The USLE provides an estimate of current average annual sheet and rill erosion based upon factors representing climate, soil erodibility, topography, cover, and conservation support practices. The erosion estimate is compared to erosion tolerance values to produce an expression of the current erosion status. An index of inherent site erodibility is also achieved through manipulation of the USLE. Based on published soil surveys, satellite imagery, and ground-truth vegetation transects, data layers are created within GRASS for each of the component factors of the USLE. Appropriate mathematical operations are performed with the data layers, and color-coded maps are produced that represent the erosion status and erodibility index for each 50-m × 50-m area of soil surface. These maps aid military trainers and land managers in scheduling appropriate kinds and intensities of military training activities.     

邛海流域不同环境因素与土壤侵蚀相互关系研究

"基于USLE模型和多因素方差分析方法,以邛海流域为研究对象,研究不同海拔、坡度和土地利用类型下,土壤侵蚀强度的特征和规律。结果表明:不同海拔梯度下,随着海拔的升高,土壤侵蚀量呈先增后减再增的趋势。1 500~17 00 m海拔段是土壤侵蚀防治的重点区域。坡度对土壤侵蚀量的影响无明显的规律,但对土壤侵蚀量的产生有显著影响。15~25°坡度带是土壤侵蚀的重点预防和治理区域。不同的土地利用类型下,土壤侵蚀存在明显的差异。流域需加强旱地、园地和林地的治理。     

Effects of Soil Conditions on Survival and Growth of Black Willow Cuttings

Current streambank restoration efforts focus on providing bank stability, enhancing water quality, and improving woody habitat using native vegetation rather than traditional engineering techniques. However, in most cases harsh site conditions limit restoration success. A two-year field study was conducted at Twentymile Creek, in northern Mississippi, investigating edaphic factors governing the survival of black willow (Salix nigra) cuttings used for streambank restoration. Low height growth, above-ground biomass production, and average leaf area were observed in willow cuttings grown in plots subjected to moisture deficits. However, sediment texture emerged as the dominant factor determining willow post growth, health, and survival. Shoot biomass, leaf biomass, and total above-ground biomass were 15-, 10-, and 14-fold greater for large willow cuttings (posts) grown in plots with sandy sediments relative to those grown in plots with similar moisture and soil redox potential but with silt and clay sediments. Average leaf size, average leaf mass and specific leaf area were all lower in fine textured plots. Under moisture conditions present at our sites, coarse-grained sediment (sand) was more conducive to willow growth, biomass production, and survival than were fine-grained sediments (silt/clay). Our results strongly suggest that soil texture and moisture conditions can determine restoration success. Therefore, it is critical that site conditions are factored into the selection of project locations prior to the initiation of willow planting restoration projects.     

Hydro-erosive separation of plastic fibers from textile compounds

There are no known methods which will effectively separate compounds consisting of plastic fibers and latex binders, or plastics coated with textiles. To separate the fibers and the plastic carrier from the other materials, high-pressure water jets have been used. Based on this practice, a method was developed to treat waste carpets and automotive interior materials with water jets in order to recycle their plastic components. Experiments were performed to investigate the modes of destruction as well as the influence of process parameters. Based on these investigations, a pilot device for the treatment of waste carpets (sheets or chips) was designed and installed. It was shown that the proposed method works with a high degree of cleanliness and selectivity. A general process scheme was developed in order to apply the method to recycling processes.     

Land use change in California,USA: Nonpoint source water quality impacts

California’s population increased 25% between 1980 and 1990, resulting in rapid and extensive urbanization. Of a total 123,000 ha urbanized in 42 of the state’s 58 counties between 1984 and 1990, an estimated 13% occurred on irrigated prime farmland, and 48% on wildlands or fallow marginal farmlands. Sixty-six percent of all new irrigated farmland put into production between 1984 and 1990 was of lesser quality than the prime farmland taken out of production by urbanization. Factors dictating the agricultural development of marginal farmlands include the availability and price of water and land, agricultural commodity prices, and technical innovations such as drip irrigation systems that impact the feasibility and costs of production. The increasing amount of marginal farmland being put into production could have significant water quality consequences because marginal lands are generally steeper, have more erodible soils, poorer drainage, and require more fertilizer than prime farmlands. Although no data exist to test our hypothesis, and numerous variables preclude definitive predictions, the evidence suggests that new irrigated marginal lands can increase nonpoint source (NPS) pollution for a given size area by an order of magnitude in some cases.     

中国海岸侵蚀特点及侵蚀加剧原因分析

中国海岸侵蚀具有普遍性、多样性和加剧发展等三个特点，侵蚀岸线长度占全国大陆岸线的１／３以上，尤以渤海和黄海沿岸较重。但因沿海泥沙来源丰富、堆积条件较好，使总体侵蚀强度通常稍轻于国外许多海岸。中国海岸的侵蚀因素有海平面上升、风暴潮加剧、入海泥沙减少和多种不合理的人为开发活动等９种，其中７种与全球变化有直接或间接关系。它们主要通过增强海洋动力作用、减少沿岸泥沙和降低海岸稳定性三个原因，加剧海岸侵蚀。