Phreatophytic Vegetation and Groundwater Fluctuations: A Review of Current Research and Application of Ecosystem Response Modeling with an Emphasis on Great Basin Vegetation

Although changes in depth to groundwater occur naturally, anthropogenic alterations may exacerbate these fluctuations and, thus, affect vegetation reliant on groundwater. These effects include changes in physiology, structure, and community dynamics, particularly in arid regions where groundwater can be an important water source for many plants. To properly manage ecosystems subject to changes in depth to groundwater, plant responses to both rising and falling groundwater tables must be understood. However, most research has focused exclusively on riparian ecosystems, ignoring regions where groundwater is available to a wider range of species. Here, we review responses of riparian and other species to changes in groundwater levels in arid environments. Although decreasing water tables often result in plant water stress and reduced live biomass, the converse is not necessarily true for rising water tables. Initially, rising water tables kill flooded roots because most species cannot tolerate the associated low oxygen levels. Thus, flooded plants can also experience water stress. Ultimately, individual species responses to either scenario depend on drought and flooding tolerance and the change in root system size and water uptake capacity. However, additional environmental and biological factors can play important roles in the severity of vegetation response to altered groundwater tables. Using the reviewed information, we created two conceptual models to highlight vegetation dynamics in areas with groundwater fluctuations. These models use flow charts to identify key vegetation and ecosystem properties and their responses to changes in groundwater tables to predict community responses. We then incorporated key concepts from these models into EDYS, a comprehensive ecosystem model, to highlight the potential complexity of predicting community change under different fluctuating groundwater scenarios. Such models provide a valuable tool for managing vegetation and groundwater use in areas where groundwater is important to both plants and humans, particularly in the context of climate change.     

Monod模型在潜流式人工湿地中的应用探讨

本文对一阶模型和零阶模型进行了比较，提出将Monod模型用于潜流式人工湿地的设计和运行之中。通过模型的动力学分析，表明负荷率和零阶去除率常数是决定潜流式人工湿地去除效果的基本参数，特别是在应用Monod模型时，可以得出湿地的最大去除率，从而避免在设计时引起尺寸过小。这有很重要的意义，说明湿地的负荷率有一个上限(这在一阶模型中是得不到的)。另外，本文还引进了一个新的无量纲参数无量钢参数Ω——湿地去除效率因子，作为比较湿地运行效果的有效方式。     

部分预应力混凝土梁疲劳性能及工程经济性分析

为解决那些由于早期桥梁的设计标准低或服役时间过长,导致破损、承载力不足以及老化严重的问题,对部分已建桥梁提出改扩建计划。对桥梁改扩建工程,在满足当前设计要求的基础上合理选择钢筋与混凝土等级,可以有效节约成本,体现环保理念。通过对两组共8根不同钢筋与混凝土等级组合下的PPC梁分别进行静力试验和疲劳试验研究,分析不同组合形式下试验梁的力学性能,并结合其工程造价进行全面的研究。结果表明,提高混凝土等级能有效提高试验梁的疲劳性能,并可节约成本,为改扩建桥梁工程中钢筋混凝土等级的选择提供参考依据。     

唐山市水资源保障能力评价

针对唐山市水资源紧张的局面,在对区域水资源条件和供用水现状分析的基础上,选取水资源、供水、用水、节水和水环境5类因素31项评价指标组成评价体系,对水资源的保障能力进行多因素综合分析、量化比较,确定各行政分区水资源保障能力的等级,为制定区域经济可持续发展的用水模式和保障措施提供科学依据.     

Are Bavarian Forests (southern Germany) at risk from ground-level ozone? Assessment using exposure and flux based ozone indices

Exposure and flux-based indices of O₃ risk were compared, at 19 forest locations across Bavaria in southern Germany from 2002 to 2005; leaf symptoms on mature beech trees found at these locations were also examined for O₃ injury. O₃ flux modelling was performed using continuously recorded O₃ concentrations in combination with meteorological and soil moisture data collected from Level II forest sites. O₃ measurements at nearby rural open-field sites proved appropriate as surrogates in cases where O₃ data were lacking at forest sites (with altitude-dependent average differences of about 10% between O₃ concentrations). Operational thresholds of biomass loss for both O₃ indices were exceeded at the majority of the forest locations, suggesting similar risk under long-term average climate conditions. However, exposure-based indices estimated higher O₃ risk during dry years as compared to the flux-based approach. In comparison, minor O₃-like leaf injury symptoms were detected only at a few of the forest sites investigated. Relationships between flux-based risk thresholds and tree response need to be established for mature forest stands for validation of predicted growth reductions under the prevailing O₃ regimes.     

基于危险工艺装置设置安全联锁系统的研究

针对危险工艺装置设置安全联锁系统(SIS)问题进行分析和研究,提出在装置建设和改造中,应合理设置独立的SIS,并根据生产装置的安全度等级选择合适的联锁回路,并具有一定的冗余能力,以避免由于硬件随机失效或系统故障时造成联锁功能无法执行;指出SIS在设计时应遵循独立原则、故障安全型原则、共享原则、可靠性原则等。研究结果表明:SIS可提高化工装置的本质安全度,保障生产过程的安全、稳定运行,最大限度地减少由于过程失控造成的人身伤害和设备损坏。     

The need for integration of drought monitoring tools for proactive food security management in sub‐Saharan Africa

Reducing the impact of drought and famine remains a challenge in sub‐Saharan Africa despite ongoing drought relief assistance in recent decades. This is because drought and famine are primarily addressed through a crisis management approach when a disaster occurs, rather than stressing preparedness and risk management. Moreover, drought planning and food security efforts have been hampered by a lack of integrated drought monitoring tools, inadequate early warning systems (EWS), and insufficient information flow within and between levels of government in many sub‐Saharan countries. The integration of existing drought monitoring tools for sub‐Saharan Africa is essential for improving food security systems to reduce the impacts of drought and famine on society in this region. A proactive approach emphasizing integration requires the collective use of multiple tools, which can be used to detect trends in food availability and provide early indicators at local, national, and regional scales on the likely occurrence of food crises. In addition, improving the ability to monitor and disseminate critical drought‐related information using available modern technologies (e.g., satellites, computers, and modern communication techniques) may help trigger timely and appropriate preventive responses and, ultimately, contribute to food security and sustainable development in sub‐Saharan Africa.     

我国夏季风活跃期旱涝变化及其影响分析

本文根据1951～1990年我国336个站逐旬降水量资料,采用服从Person Ⅲ型分布的旱涝Z指数,分析了40年来我国夏季风活跃期旱涝事件,揭露了夏季旱涝演变的事实。并对旱涝灾害的影响进行了评述。     

沭河水质模糊综合评价评价模型建立与应用

根据模糊数学原理,建立了水质模糊综合评价模型,利用该模型对2006年-2009年山东省临沂市沭河水质进行了水质评价。结果表明,（1）该模型计算方法简便且能比较客观的反映评价对象的客观实际和水质变化规律,评价结果更为可靠,是水质综合评价的一种理想、有效的方法;（2）沭河流域水质总体状况良好,一年中I级水的天数为50％、Ⅱ级水的天数为8．3％、Ⅲ级水的天数为41．7％,评价结果与实际相符;评价方法有实用价值。     

Quantifying water savings from willow removal in Australian streams

Willows (Salix Spp.), while not endemic to Australia, form dense stands in many stream locations. Australia has been experiencing a long-term drought and potential water extraction by willows is considered a significant problem, although little global scientific evidence exists to support such concerns. The extent of willow occupation in Australian streams has been deemed large enough to warrant investigation of their evapotranspiration rates and quantification of potential water savings from willow removal. Willows situated in-stream (permanent water) and on stream banks (semi-permanent water) were monitored over three summers from August 2005 to May 2008 employing heat pulse velocity sap flux sensors and field measurement of water balance components. A comparative study of native riparian River Red Gum trees was also undertaken. Differences in transpiration flux rates between willows with permanent and semi-permanent access to water were substantial, with peak transpiration of 15.2 mm day(-1) and 2.3 mm day(-1) respectively. Water balance calculations over the three year period indicate that an average potential net water saving of 5.5 ML year(-1)ha(-1) of crown projected area is achievable by removal of in-stream willows with permanent access to water. On stream banks, replacement of willows with native riparian vegetation will have no net impact on site water balances. Results also indicate that under the influence of natural environmental events such as drought, heat stress and willow sawfly infestation, evapotranspiration rates from in-stream willows remain greater than that from open water. These results will have important implications in environmental management of willows and in future water resource allocation and planning in Australia.