Effects of Geomorphic Setting and Urbanization on Wood,Pools, Sediment Storage,and Bank Erosion in Puget Sound Streams1

Segura, Catalina and Derek B. Booth, 2010. Effects of Geomorphic Setting and Urbanization on Wood, Pools, Sediment Storage, and Bank Erosion in Puget Sound Streams. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(5):972-986. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00470.x Abstract: Interrelationships between urbanization, the near-riparian zone, and channel morphology were examined in 44 lowland stream reaches in the Puget Lowlands of western Washington, United States. Both the degree of urbanization and channel type control channel response to a range of instream and riparian conditions. Some of these relationships are not evident in lumped datasets (i.e., with all channel types and/or degrees of urbanization) and highlight the importance of fluvial geomorphology in determining channel response. We found that in low-urbanized watersheds dominated by forced pool-riffle and plane-bed morphologies, the frequency and distribution of large woody debris (LWD), pool spacing, sediment storage, and bank erosion have a strong relationship with channel confinement and characteristics of near-riparian vegetation. In contrast, high-urbanized reaches dominated by simplified morphologies are substantially less sensitive to the condition of the near-riparian zone (e.g., size of the near-riparian vegetation and the level of channel confinement), due to the common disconnection of stream and floodplain caused by the placement of stabilizing structures in the banks. These structures are typically placed to prevent erosion; however, they also result in fewer LWD and pools, less sediment storage, and higher potential for incision.     

基于生态和社会经济约束的区域土地整治潜力评价研究

准确评价区域耕地整治、农村居民点整治、废弃地复垦和未利用地开发4种类型的土地整治潜力是实现区域统筹规划和保障粮食安全的重要前提。通过选取能反映区域四种土地整治类型内在和外在潜力的指标因素,引入生态安全和社会经济双重制约条件,结合层次分析法和约束条件评价模型对研究区域生态安全和经济社会约束下的土地整治综合潜力开展定量评价,并采用K-Means聚类方法进行潜力分区。研究结果表明:高生态安全和经济发展水平条件能提高区域土地整治潜力水平,反之则制约土地整治潜力水平,同时根据约束条件的土地整治潜力评价结果将研究区域划分为土地整治高潜力区、较高潜力区、一般潜力区和低潜力区,与无约束条件下的土地整治潜力评价结果相比,该分区结果更加符合当地实际情况。该研究一方面可为生态文明建设背景下的土地整治潜力评价提供新方法,另一方面可为新一轮土地整治统筹规划提供有效的依据和参考。     

2008-2009年中国北方干旱遥感动态监测

干旱是威胁我国及世界农业发展的自然灾害之一,利用遥感技术进行干旱监测与评估已成为一种重要而有效的手段。2008年10月至2009年2月,我国北方地区出现了大面积的持续干旱,给冬小麦的生长造成了严重的影响。基于2000年至2009年Terra卫星MODIS传感器8天合成的地表反射率数据,结合地面实测土壤水分和实地调研数据,利用距平植被指数(AVI)和距平水分指数(AWI)对我国北方冬小麦主产区的干旱程度进行了分级,对干旱的发生、发展和时空变化情况进行了连续监测,得到了该时期的旱情分布结果:2008年10月份以后旱情逐渐加重,2009年1月下旬各地旱情达到了最严重的程度。研究表明,AWI对干旱的反应比AVI敏感而且准确。     

城市绿地生态综合评价研究进展

以"四川省地震灾后置建社会满意度调查"数据为依据,通过因子分析,找到影响社会满意度的关键因素,确立低碳模式为灾后和谐社会建设的最佳模式.通过对低碳社会的特征分析,结合社会学理论,认为:低碳社会的发展是低碳价值理念、低碳准则、低碳行为互相作用的过程.低碳社会模式的发展路径是基于综合集成与统筹优选的方法,从价值理念、低碳行为、规范体系三个方面对低碳社会的各项要素进行集成:低碳社会的推行模式分为低碳农村模式和低碳城市模式.低碳农村可以与灾区社会主义新农村建设同步进行,发展生态经济,探索生态发展模式和生态补偿政策;低碳城市相对于一般社会发展模式和农村发展模式,更集中体现在建筑、交通、文化、消费行为等某些特定领域.建议:从国家到灾区的各级政府必须多管齐下,从制度创新入手,实施一系列相互配套、切实有效的对策及措施,如转变单纯追求GDP的政策目标,制定法律法规,促进新能源开发,建立低碳技术支撑体系等来保障低碳社会模式的推行.     

Flora and Vegetation of Tasiilaq,Formerly Angmagssalik,Southeast Greenland: A Comparison of Data Between Around 1900 and 2007

The changes in the vascular plant flora of Tasiilaq, low arctic Southeast Greenland, between around 1900 and 2007 were studied by comparing the data from historical literature with those of the field observations performed between the late 1960s and 2007. Since 1900, the percentage of widely distributed arctic species distinctly decreased, whereas that of the low arctic species somewhat increased, and boreal species hardly increased. Vegetation monitoring revealed minor changes and showed that several thermophilous and xerophilous species increased between 1968/1969 and 2007, whereas some hygrophilous species decreased. Repeated vegetation mapping of a shallow pond revealed conspicuous changes suggesting increased evaporation/precipitation ratios associated with environmental warming up and decreasing snow accumulation in winter, in line with results of previous investigations. In spite of climate warming, expansion of the town and increasing human impact, flora and vegetation on the whole appeared rather stable during the last 40 years without invading species or introductions.     

Multi-decadal changes in tundra environments and ecosystems: synthesis of the International Polar Year-Back to the Future project (IPY-BTF)

Understanding the responses of tundra systems to global change has global implications. Most tundra regions lack sustained environmental monitoring and one of the only ways to document multi-decadal change is to resample historic research sites. The International Polar Year (IPY) provided a unique opportunity for such research through the Back to the Future (BTF) project (IPY project #512). This article synthesizes the results from 13 papers within this Ambio Special Issue. Abiotic changes include glacial recession in the Altai Mountains, Russia; increased snow depth and hardness, permafrost warming, and increased growing season length in sub-arctic Sweden; drying of ponds in Greenland; increased nutrient availability in Alaskan tundra ponds, and warming at most locations studied. Biotic changes ranged from relatively minor plant community change at two sites in Greenland to moderate change in the Yukon, and to dramatic increases in shrub and tree density on Herschel Island, and in subarctic Sweden. The population of geese tripled at one site in northeast Greenland where biomass in non-grazed plots doubled. A model parameterized using results from a BTF study forecasts substantial declines in all snowbeds and increases in shrub tundra on Niwot Ridge, Colorado over the next century. In general, results support and provide improved capacities for validating experimental manipulation, remote sensing, and modeling studies.     

Arsenic and mercury bioaccumulation in the aquatic plant, Vallisneria neotropicalis

Arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) are among the most toxic metals/metalloids. The overall goal of this study was to investigate the bioaccumulation of these trace elements in Vallisneria neotropicalis, a key trophic species in aquatic environments. For this purpose, As and Hg concentrations were determined in sediments and natural populations of V. neotropicalis in sub-estuaries of Mobile Bay (Alabama, USA), differing with respect to past and present anthropogenic impact. Analyses indicate that the Fish River is the most contaminated among the sub-estuaries investigated; levels of As found in Fish River sediments fall within a range that could potentially cause adverse effects in biota. Sediment As concentrations were only moderately correlated with those in V. neotropicalis; no correlation was found between sediment and plant Hg levels. However, several parameters could have masked such potential relationships (e.g., differences in sediment characteristics and “biological dilution” phenomena). Results presented herein highlight the numerous parameters that can influence metal/metalloids accumulation in aquatic plants as well as species-specific responses to trace element contamination. Finally, this study underscores the need for further investigation into contaminant bioaccumulation in ecologically and economically important coastal environments.     

昆阳磷矿植被恢复地土壤肥力状况分析及评价

采用野外调查、室内分析并结合相关的方法,对昆阳磷矿人工林植被恢复样地土壤养分指标进行研究,以对矿区植被恢复地土壤肥力现状进行科学合理的评价。结果表明：矿区植被恢复地土壤的容重均小于18 g/cm,孔隙多,结构性较好,有益于植物的生长;植被恢复地土壤样本的有机质含量缺乏,全氮和碱解氮含量属于中等和较缺乏水平,全磷和有效磷、全钾和速效钾含量极为丰富。土壤有机质、有效磷,变异系数较大,分布不均匀,碱解氮、全氮、全磷、速效钾为中等变异的养分指标,变异系数相对小些,土壤中全钾呈弱变异,在土壤中的含量相对分布比较均匀。通过灰色关联度分析,得出研究区不同植被类型或不同年代组合恢复模式土壤肥力顺序为：2005年恢复的旱冬瓜+藏柏+麻栎林＞2006年恢复的旱冬瓜+藏柏+麻栎林＞2007年恢复的旱冬瓜+藏柏林＞平台覆土＞2005年恢复的旱冬瓜+藏柏林＞2005年恢复的旱冬瓜+藏柏+墨西哥柏林     

Effect of Coal Mine Soil Contamination on the Elemental Uptake and Distribution in Two Edible Amaranthus Species,A. dubius and A. hybridus

The impact of coal mine dump contaminated soil on the elemental uptake by two edible plants, namely, Amaranthus dubius (red herbs) and Amaranthus hybridus (green herbs), was studied by investigating their response and ability to tolerate and accumulate varying levels of elements in their roots and shoots. The vegetation was grown on varying amounts of contaminated soil, viz. 0%, 5%, 15%, 25% w/w using coal mine dump soil. The soil was analyzed for soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic matter (SOM), moisture content, and selected heavy metals. The distribution of six metals, namely, Pb, Cd, Hg, Ni, Mn, and Fe, in roots, stem, and leaves of the plants was determined in two stages of growth after 5 weeks and 10 weeks. All soil and plant samples were microwave digested and subjected to heavy metal analysis using the ICP-OES, GFAAS, and CVAAS. The pH of the coal mine dump contaminated soil decreased with an increase in contamination. Both the SOM and CEC values decreased, which increases the availability of elements, by providing more binding sites in the soil. Relatively, the red herbs had higher elemental concentrations than the green herbs. Both plants recorded high manganese accumulation. No mercury was detected in the soils or plants.     

The distribution of macronutrients,anti-nutrients and essential elements in nettles,Laportea peduncularis susp. peduncularis (River nettle) and Urtica dioica (Stinging nettle)

Laportea peduncularis and Urtica dioica, which are popularly known as “Nettles” belong to the plant family Urticaceae and are consumed as green vegetables or used for their medicinal benefit in many countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and America. This study aimed at investigating the effect of cooking on the macronutrient, anti-nutrient and elemental composition of L. peduncularis and U. dioica leaves. The results showed a decrease in the crude fat, ash, carbohydrate and vitamin C content with cooking, but an increase in the vitamin E content. The anti-nutrient content (cyanides, phytates and saponins) increased slightly with cooking, while the oxalate content has decreased. The concentration of essential elements in cooked L. peduncularis leaves were found to be in decreasing order of Ca > Mg > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Co. Both raw and cooked leaves of nettles were found to be rich sources of macronutrients and essential elements and may be used as alternatives to commercially available nutrient supplements. Statistical analyses (principal component analysis and correlations) indicated that certain elements taken up by these plants were from common sources. Both positive and negative relationships between nutrients, anti-nutrients and elements were observed in the plant leaves.