Rock hardness and landform development in the Gunong Mulu National Park,Sarawak, E. Malaysia

Rock hardness, measured by the Schmidt Test Hammer, is an important factor in explaining some of the sharp contrasts in relief and wide variety of landforms in The Gunong Mulu National Park. It is also useful in consideration of contemporary geomorphological processes, such as landsliding.     

Influence of basin characteristics on baseflow and stormflow chemistry in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,USA

Relationships between stream chemistry and elevation, area, Anakeesta geology, soil properties, and dominant vegetation were evaluated to identify the influence of basin characteristics on baseflow and stormflow chemistry in eight streams of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Statistical analyses were employed to determine differences between baseflow and stormflow chemistry, and relate basin‐scale factors governing local chemical processes to stream chemistry. Following precipitation events, stream pH was reduced and aluminium concentrations increased, while the response of acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), nitrate, sulfate, and base cations varied. Several basin characteristics were highly correlated with each other, demonstrating the interrelatedness of topographical, geological, soil, and vegetative parameters. These interrelated basin factors uniquely influenced acidification response in these streams. Streams in higher‐elevation basins (>975 m) had significantly lower pH, ANC, sodium, and silicon and higher nitrate concentrations (p < 0.05). Streams in smaller basins (<10 km²) had significantly lower nitrate, sodium, magnesium, silicon, and base cation concentrations. In stormflow, streams in basins with Anakeesta geology (>10%) had significantly lower pH and sodium concentrations, and higher aluminium concentrations. Chemical and physical soil characteristics and dominant overstory vegetation in basins were more strongly correlated with baseflow and stormflow chemical constituents than topographical and geological basin factors. Saturated hydraulic conductivity, of all the soil parameters, was most related to concentrations of stormflow constituents. Basins with higher average hydraulic conductivities were associated with lower stream pH, ANC, and base cation concentrations, and higher nitrate and sulfate concentrations. These results emphasize the importance of soil and geological properties influencing stream chemistry and promote the prioritization of management strategies for aquatic resources. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reply to ‘Comment on: Rainfall,fog and throughfall dynamics in a subtropical ridge top cloud forest,National Park of Garajonay (La Gomera,Canary Islands,Spain)’ by A. Ritter and C.M. Regalado

This Reply aims to clarify and address many of the errors introduced to the discussion of our original paper (García‐Santos and Bruijnzeel, 2011; referred to henceforth as GSB2011) in the comment by Ritter and Regalado (2012) (henceforth referred to as RRR2012) as explained more fully under replies nos. 1–6, 8–12 and 14–18 below. Two (largely inconsequential) shortcomings in our original paper as detected by RRR2012 are acknowledged (see replies nos. 7 and 13 below). It is concluded that the majority of the comments offered by RRR2012 are unfounded as well as unnecessary. In summary, the two errors in GSB2011 spotted by RRR2012 (see points 7 and 13 below) could easily have been addressed in an erratum. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The plankton community in Norwegian coastal waters—abundance, composition, spatial distribution and diel variation

The purpose of the present study was to explore the composition and variation of the pico-, nano- and micro-plankton communities in Norwegian coastal waters and Skagerrak, and the co-occurrence of bacteria and viruses. Samples were collected along three cruise transects from Jæren, Lista and Oksøy on the south coast of Norway and into the North Sea and Skagerrak. We also followed a drifting buoy for 55 h in Skagerrak in order to observe diel variations. Satellite ocean color images (SeaWiFS) of the chlorophyll a (chl a) distribution compared favorably to in situ measurements in open waters, while closer to the shore remote sensing chl a data was overestimated compared to the in situ data. Using light microscopy, we identified 49 micro- and 15 nanoplankton sized phototrophic forms as well as 40 micro- and 12 nanoplankton sized heterotrophic forms. The only picoeukaryote (0.2-2.0 μm) we identified was Resultor micron (Pedinophyceae). Along the transects a significant variation in the distribution and abundance of different plankton forms were observed, with Synechococcus spp and autotrophic picoeukaryotes as the most notable examples. There was no correlation between viruses and chl a, but between viruses and bacteria, and between viruses and some of the phytoplankton groups, especially the picoeukaryotes. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between nutrients and small viruses (Low Fluorescent Viruses) but a positive correlation between nutrients and large viruses (High Fluorescent Viruses). The abundance of autotrophic picoplankton, bacteria and viruses showed a diel variation in surface waters with higher values around noon and late at night and lower values in the evening. Synechococcus spp were found at 20 m depth 25-45 nautical miles from shore apparently forming a bloom that stretched out for more than 100 nautical miles from Skagerrak and up the south west coast of Norway. The different methods used for assessing abundance, distribution and diversity of microorganisms yielded complementary information about the plankton community. Flow cytometry enabled us to map the distribution of the smaller phytoplankton forms, bacteria and viruses in more detail than has been possible before but detection and quantification of specific forms (genus or species) still requires taxonomic skills, molecular analysis or both.     

Analysis of hot springs and associated deposits in Yellowstone National Park using ASTER and AVIRIS remote sensing

The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and the Airborne Visible/IR Image Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data were used to characterize hot spring deposits in the Lower, Midway, and Upper Geyser Basins of Yellowstone National Park from the visible/near infrared (VNIR) to thermal infrared (TIR) wavelengths. Field observations of these basins provided the critical ground-truth for comparison with the remote sensing results. Fourteen study sites were selected based on diversity in size, deposit type, and thermal activity. Field work included detailed site surveys such as land cover analysis, photography, Global Positioning System (GPS) data collection, radiometric analysis, and VNIR spectroscopy. Samples of hot spring deposits, geyser deposits, and soil were also collected. Analysis of ASTER data provided broad scale characteristics of the hot springs and their deposits, including the identification of thermal anomalies. AVIRIS high spectral resolution short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectroscopy provided the ability to detect hydrothermally altered minerals as well as a calibration for the multispectral SWIR ASTER data. From the image analysis, differences in these basins were identified including the extent of thermal alteration, the location and abundance of alteration minerals, and a comparison of active, near-extinct, and extinct geysers. We determined the activity level of each region using a combination of the VNIR-SWIR-TIR spectral differences as well as the presence of elevated temperatures, detected by the TIR subsystem of ASTER. The results of this study are applicable to the exploration of extinct mineralized hydrothermal deposits on both Earth and Mars.     

The lunar tides in the Antarctic mesosphere and lower thermosphere

Horizontal winds in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere over the Antarctic have been measured by a meteor radar at Rothera (67.5°S, 68.0°W) and MF radar at Davis (68.6°S, 78.0°E). Data from Rothera recorded over a 20-month interval in 2005–2006 and data from Davis recorded over the 13-year interval 1994–2006 are examined to investigate the monthly mean behaviour of the lunar semidiurnal tide. Both data sets show a clear signal of the 12.42-h lunar semidiurnal (M₂) tide. The amplitude reaches values as large as 8 m s⁻¹. The vertical wavelengths of the tide vary seasonally from 10 to 65 km. Comparisons of the phase of the tide measured over the two sites reveals that it does not purely consist of a migrating wavenumber 2 mode. This suggests that other, non-migrating, modes are likely to be present.     

Biological response to coastal upwelling and dust deposition in the area off Northwest Africa

Nutrient supply in the area off Northwest Africa is mainly regulated by two processes, coastal upwelling and deposition of Saharan dust. In the present study, both processes were analyzed and evaluated by different methods, including cross-correlation, multiple correlation, and event statistics, using remotely sensed proxies of the period from 2000 to 2008 to investigate their influence on the marine environment. The remotely sensed chlorophyll-a concentration was used as a proxy for the phytoplankton biomass stimulated by nutrient supply into the euphotic zone from deeper water layers and from the atmosphere. Satellite-derived alongshore wind stress and sea-surface temperature were applied as proxies for the strength and reflection of coastal upwelling processes. The westward wind and the dust component of the aerosol optical depth describe the transport direction of atmospheric dust and the atmospheric dust column load.     

Characterization of complex fluvial systems using remote sensing of spatial and temporal water level variations in the Amazon,Congo, and Brahmaputra Rivers

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite mission will provide global, space‐based estimates of water elevation, its temporal change, and its spatial slope in fluvial environments, as well as across lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, and floodplains. This paper illustrates the utility of existing remote sensing measurements of water temporal changes and spatial slope to characterize two complex fluvial environments. First, repeat‐pass interferometric SAR measurements from the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite are used to compare and contrast floodplain processes in the Amazon and Congo River basins. Measurements of temporal water level changes over the two areas reveal clearly different hydraulic processes at work. The Amazon is highly interconnected by floodplain channels, resulting in complex flow patterns. In contrast, the Congo does not show similar floodplain channels and the flow patterns are not well defined and have diffuse boundaries. During inundation, the Amazon floodplain often shows sharp hydraulic changes across floodplain channels. The Congo, however, does not show similar sharp changes during either infilling or evacuation. Second, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission measurements of water elevation are used to derive water slope over the braided Brahmaputra river system. In combination with in situ bathymetry measurements, water elevation and slope allow one to calculate discharge estimates within 2.3% accuracy. These two studies illustrate the utility of satellite‐based measurements of water elevation for characterizing complex fluvial environments, and highlight the potential of SWOT measurements for fluvial hydrology. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The morphodynamic responses to deposition-promoting projects in island and reef coasts of the Zhoushan Archipelago,China

China's island and reef coasts are mainly distributed along the coasts of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces. These areas have favorable deep-water conditions and great development potential. The Zhoushan Archipelago is a typical island and reef coast. In the midst of the islands, there are many tidal channels with high water depth and high current velocity. Daishan Island is located on the northern part of the Zhoushan Archipelago. The sea north of Daishan Island can be characterized as having great water depth (generally between 10 and 20 m), high current velocity (the maximum measured value is about 2 m/s), and hyperconcentrated suspended sediment (annual average concentration under normal weather conditions is about 0.6 kg/m3). Sediment transport is influenced by the co-action of waves and currents. Land reclamation can ease the contradiction between the desire for development and the land resource shortage on island and reef coasts. Land reclamation generally starts from deposition-promoting projects on island and reef coasts with hyperconcentration of suspended sediment with the aim of reducing the reclamation cost. Based on the morphodynamic characteristics of the sea area near north of Daishan Island, a two-dimensional mathematical model was developed to analyze the co-action of current and waves and the model was verified for spring as well as neap tides in 2007 and 2012. The simulated values of tidal stages, tidal current velocities, tidal current directions, and suspended sediment concentration at 15 stations in 2007 and 9 stations in 2012 were in good agreement with the in-situ measured values. Furthermore, the simulated magnitude and pattern of erosion and sedimentation agreed well with the observations. This model was used to evaluate the effects of a proposed siltation scheme on the hydrodynamic environment and morphological change of the study area. The results of this study can inform the protection, development, and utilization of shoal-channels on island and reef coasts, as well provide a scientific basis for comprehensive maritime protection and development.     

Snow model sensitivity analysis to understand spatial and temporal snow dynamics in a high‐elevation catchment

In this paper, we addressed a sensitivity analysis of the snow module of the GEOtop2.0 model at point and catchment scale in a small high‐elevation catchment in the Eastern Italian Alps (catchment size: 61 km²). Simulated snow depth and snow water equivalent at the point scale were compared with measured data at four locations from 2009 to 2013. At the catchment scale, simulated snow‐covered area (SCA) was compared with binary snow cover maps derived from moderate‐resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Landsat satellite imagery. Sensitivity analyses were used to assess the effect of different model parameterizations on model performance at both scales and the effect of different thresholds of simulated snow depth on the agreement with MODIS data. Our results at point scale indicated that modifying only the “snow correction factor” resulted in substantial improvements of the snow model and effectively compensated inaccurate winter precipitation by enhancing snow accumulation. SCA inaccuracies at catchment scale during accumulation and melt period were affected little by different snow depth thresholds when using calibrated winter precipitation from point scale. However, inaccuracies were strongly controlled by topographic characteristics and model parameterizations driving snow albedo (“snow ageing coefficient” and “extinction of snow albedo”) during accumulation and melt period. Although highest accuracies (overall accuracy = 1 in 86% of the catchment area) were observed during winter, lower accuracies (overall accuracy < 0.7) occurred during the early accumulation and melt period (in 29% and 23%, respectively), mostly present in areas with grassland and forest, slopes of 20–40°, areas exposed NW or areas with a topographic roughness index of ?0.25 to 0 m. These findings may give recommendations for defining more effective model parameterization strategies and guide future work, in which simulated and MODIS SCA may be combined to generate improved products for SCA monitoring in Alpine catchments.     

Geomorphological changes in an arid transgressive coastal dune field due to natural processes and human impacts

Geomorphological changes in recent decades in an arid transgressive coastal dune system (Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands) are analyzed. The methodology used is based on the generation of two geomorphological maps (1961 and 2003) by interpretation of digital orthophotos. The overlay of both maps in a geographic information system (GIS) enabled the spatial and surface changes of the landforms to be determined, and the processes that generated these changes. Twelve cultural and geomorphological processes were identified from highest to lowest importance, namely: anthropization by urban occupation (114 ha changed), stabilization (92.5 ha), barchanization (37 ha), salinization/halophytication (15 ha), anthropization (12.4 ha), deflation (11.8 ha), dune loss/beach gain (11.3 ha), dune formation (9.6 ha), progradation (8 ha), retrogradation (7.7 ha), destabilization (2.7 ha) and flooding (0.7 ha). Geomorphological changes are associated with a combination of five main factors, three of anthropogenic origin and two natural ones. The natural factors are: (1) the arid climate, which favors changes occurring at high speed; (2) the existence of a progressive sedimentary deficit. Anthropogenic factors are: (3) construction of tourist urbanizations, infrastructures and facilities; (4) installation of equipment or infrastructure on the beaches; (5) the activities carried out by users. These human factors have altered the aeolian dynamics and reduced the area occupied by vegetation in some areas, causing changes in aeolian sedimentary processes. The geomorphological processes identified can be used as indicators of environmental change, allowing us to synthesize the changes in landforms detected, and group all combinations derived from the analysis by GIS and analyze them spatially. Thus, the environmental changes in the transgressive coastal dune systems could be interpreted more effectively. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anthropogenic and natural contributions to the rainfall chemistry of a mountainous area in the Cevennes National Park (Mont-Lozere, southern France)

Nine years of bulk precipitation chemistry data for a mountainous site in southern France are presented. The mean rainwater is of moderate acidity (pH 4.63, alkalinity −4 μEql⁻¹) even though there is high, non-marine, deposition of sulphur (near 20 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). Based on the statistical characteristics of the data set, three major sources of elements are identified: long range pollution, Mediterranean sea salt aerosols and aeolian erosion dust, mainly from the Sahara. Most of the sulphur in the rainfall is present as neutral sulphate salts, owing to the latter being rich in alkaline minerals; this counteracts the strong acid input.     

1994-2018年松嫩平原西部月亮泡水淹区生态变化及其对水淹频次的响应

半干旱内陆地区的湖泊湿地是一种特殊的生态系统,季节和年际时间尺度上的湖泊水文变化对湖泊湿地生态结构和功能有着重要影响.近20年来,月亮泡湖泊湿地经历了自然和人为因素共同作用下的水文波动过程.为了实现大尺度地表生态年内/年际变化检测,更好地了解湖泊年际水淹范围及其水淹频次对内陆湖滨湿地生态的影响,基于1994—2018年Landsat TM/OLI影像数据(30 m),首先,计算提取月亮泡的年际水体信息和水淹频次,进而获取湖泊年际淹没范围.其次,采用综合生态指数变化检测法提取生态信息,选取3个标准观测年(1995、2006、2016年),从年内变化和年际变化视角分级评价了研究区生态变化,并分析了水淹频次与湿地生态变化的关系.最终,现有研究表明:湖泊年际水淹区主要分布在月亮泡的北侧与西侧尾闾,月亮泡湖泊湿地北侧的年际水淹频次更为显著.湖泊面积的扩展与自然湿地的减少是月亮泡水淹区域的主要变化类型.在这种变化情况下,研究区水体指数累积量的增加与植被指数累积量的衰减成为显著的生态变化特点.月亮泡湖泊年际水淹频次在一定时间和空间上影响着水淹区域的植被生产能力,水淹的低频波动是研究区植被累积量增加的关键因子.因此,在湿地生态恢复与管理过程中,维持合理的水文波动,恢复月亮泡北侧与西侧沼泽湿地是该区域内生态保护的核心措施.     

Evaluating channel response to an extreme sedimentation event in the context of historical range of variability: Upper Colorado River,USA

In May 2003, a breach in a large irrigation ditch within Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) initiated a debris flow that entered Lulu Creek and the Colorado River, where 36 000 m³ of sediment substantially altered channel forms and processes. We present a proof of concept to understand whether the 2003 disturbance is within the historical range of variability (HRV), and whether the recovery potential of the system is sufficient to adapt to the disturbance. Flow and sediment regimes, and channel morphology and stability were monitored on Lulu Creek and the Colorado River from 2004 to 2011. Dominant channel response following the debris flow within Lulu Creek included step development, bed armoring, and channel widening. Step height‐to‐length ratios (H/L) for three reaches on Lulu Creek are outside the HRV of reference channels, with one reach approaching reference conditions. Erosion of approximately 23% of the debris fan volume occurred as a result of the long duration 2011 peak flow. Sediment within the Lulu Creek fan will persist for ~30–190 years, assuming current maximum and mean removal rates. Planform changes on the Colorado River since the debris flow include an increase in single‐thread geometries, with braided reaches where bar deposition occurred. Bedload transport and grain‐size analysis of bedload indicate translational spreading of a sand wave front with a dispersive component in steeper reaches. Lulu Creek is returning to a condition of natural variability, but the Colorado River is outside the HRV expected for steep‐gradient, pool‐riffle channels. Applying HRV to a situation where management questions require a longer term perspective, and pre‐disturbance baseline data are limited, is a useful approach. The HRV analysis facilitates a better understanding of site variability and delineates the range of possibilities of channel form and process to achieve management goals. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

鄱阳湖浮游植物时空变化特征及其对极端洪枯事件的响应

鄱阳湖作为中国最大的淡水湖泊,其水生态健康状态始终是人们关注的热点。近些年,鄱阳湖极端洪旱灾害频发,浮游植物生长受极端洪旱的影响发生了明显变化。为分析浮游植物时空变化特征、探究环境因子对鄱阳湖浮游植物影响机制以及极端洪枯事件对浮游植物的影响,利用结构方程模型(SEM)构建浮游植物与环境因子的影响路径模型,定量分析环境因子对浮游植物的影响程度。结果表明,鄱阳湖浮游植物以蓝藻、绿藻为主且有明显的季节特征,在7月丰水期浮游植物密度达到最高;由结构方程模型(SEM)可知,影响浮游植物密度最关键的因子为物理因子(水温>pH>透明度>溶解氧),其次为营养物质(总氮>硝态氮>总磷>磷酸盐),浮游植物对高温、高营养和高pH较偏好。2020年极端洪水和2022年极端高温干旱,浮游植物密度主要受水温、溶解氧、透明度等物理因子的影响;在影响较小的营养物质中,主要的限制性因素分别为磷和氮。与正常年份相比,极端洪水年鄱阳湖受入湖来水及降雨的增多,湖区水量急剧增加,“稀释”作用超过水温和透明度对浮游植物生长的促进作用造成浮游植物密度和生物量有所下降;在营养物质中,磷成为主要限制性因素。而极端高温干旱年受入湖来水的减少及湖水的快速蒸发,“浓缩”作用超过水温和透明度对浮游植物生长的抑制作用造成浮游植物密度和生物量显著增加,同时,营养物质对浮游植物的作用更加凸显。研究结果表明极端洪枯事件导致鄱阳湖浮游植物变化明显,确定其对浮游植物的影响机制,可以为极端洪枯事件下浮游植物监测、管理提供一定的理论基础。     

基于MODIS数据的2000-2010年乌梁素海"黄苔"时空变化

利用2000-2010年每年5-9月MODIS数据根据比值算法提取乌梁素海湖区黄苔的面积和空间分布信息并进行统计分析,探求乌梁素海黄苔产生的时空分布规律及特征,从而为黄苔的预防和治理提供支持.结果表明:(1)黄苔面积变化的年际和月际特征方面,2000、2001、2005、2006、2008、2010年黄苔面积超过了多年平均值(24 km2).5—7月份黄苔面积较小,保持在20 km2左右;8月黄苔面积迅速增长(约28 km2),9月黄苔面积最大,达到40 km2左右.(2)黄苔发生频率方面,2001年黄苔的规模和频率最高,发生频率达到0.58;2005、2006、2010年次之,发生频率在0.25附近波动(多年年均黄苔暴发频率为0.19);其他年份黄苔的发生频率处于低于0.10的水平.黄苔发生规模较大、次数较多的月份集中在8、9月,发生频率分别达到0.27、0.52,超过多年月均黄苔暴发频率0.19;其他月份黄苔的发生频率处于低于0.10的水平.(3)黄苔出现的空间分布方面,西大滩为东大滩的北部至中部,以及乌梁素海南部明水区排干口附近的西部沿岸是黄苔出现频率较高的区域.(4)2个月前的日均温度、降雨和营养盐浓度及当月风速与黄苔的产生具有极显著相关性;营养盐含量(TN、TP)的空间分布与黄苔的空间分布表现出较好的相关性.乌梁素海黄苔面积的年际变化受人类活动特别是生态补水的影响明显.     

A quantitative investigation into the temporal and spatial variations in the emergence of adult blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) from the Breitenbach, a small upland stream in Germany

As a contribution to the long-term emergence studies carried out as part of the “Breitenbach ecosystem project”, this paper presents the results obtained on emergence patterns and population dynamics of blackflies from 1984 to 1988. The Breitenbach is a small first order stream near Schlitz/Hesse, running into the Fulda river. Adult blackflies were caught in 4 greenhouse emergence traps, each spanning the whole width of the stream for a length of 6 m. A manual and then a partly automated method for collecting trapped insects was applied for three years and one year, respectively. Sixteen blackfly-species of different origin were found in the traps: a) autochthonous species: Prosimulium tomosvaryi, Simulium vernum s.l., S. cryophilum s.l., S. ornatum s.l. (common); S. costatum, S. trifasciatum, S. monticola, S. argyreatum (rare); b) species of doubtful origin: S. lundstromi, S. angustitarse, S. angustipes, S. aureum (very rare); c) allochthonous species: S. lineatum, S. equinum, S. erythrocephalum, S. noelleri. It was shown that the last 4 species had not emerged from the Breitenbach but had flown into the traps as adults. In addition, females of autochthonous species with blood or with mature eggs were trapped, which were also considered to have flown in. Besides revealing a limitation of the trap construction, they supported the detailed interpretation of some intricated patterns of appearance. Variations in emergence patterns and specimen numbers between years and traps were pronounced, but only in a few cases could they be attributed to changes in abiotic factors such as water temperature or discharge. P. tomosvaryi had the most simple and regular life cycle, with one well synchronised emergence peak annually from April to May (or even to June). No gradient of specimen numbers along the stream was evident. The two closely related species S. vernum and S. cryophilum had quite similar emergence patterns: There were two broad peaks per year, extending mainly from March to June and from July to October or November. In some cases the number and separation of consecutive generations was not clear. The abundance of both species clearly decreased downstream, more so for S. cryophilum than for S. vernum. In a trap closest to a tributary spring, S. cryophilum was the dominant species during three of the four years examined. The adults of S. ornatum displayed an intricate pattern of appearance, with very low specimen numbers in spring and medium to very high numbers in July/August and September/October. S. ornatum is the only blackfly species that inhabits both the Breitenbach and the adjacent section of the Fulda river. It was shown that females emerging from the Fulda river regularly invade the Breitenbach valley in greatly varying numbers and oviposit there. This leads to overlapping larval cohorts with corresponding emergence peaks. Although S. ornatum was the most abundant species in one year in the lower traps (60 to 80% of all individuals), it remains uncertain whether it is a long-term, permanent member of the autochthonous blackfly fauna of the Breitenbach. Estimates of total numbers of flown-in adults, actual emergence, dry weight biomass, the ecological separation of the species and their life cycle strategies are discussed.     

中国大陆1996-2012年地震重点监视防御区制度实施现状与成效分析

The regulation of the National Significant Seismic Monitoring and Protection Regions(NSSMPR for short) is defined by the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on Protecting Against and Mitigating Earthquake Disasters.The first stage of implementation of the regulation of NSSMPR in the Chinese mainland was finished from 1996 to 2005.The second stage is being carried on from 2006 to 2020.With the support of the National Social Science Foundation,this paper follows up and evaluates the implementation of the regulation of NSSMPR from 1996 to 2012 in the Chinese mainland.Based on analysis of earthquake examples and investigation data,we find that the effect of disaster mitigation is good,and on this basis,some suggestions are proposed to improve the regulation of NSSMPR.     

Remote sensing of temporal and spatial patterns of suspended particle size in the Irish Sea in relation to the Kolmogorov microscale

Suspended sediments form an integral part of shelf sea systems, determining light penetration for primary production through turbidity and dispersion of pollutants by adsorption and settling of particles. The settling speed of suspended particles depends on their size and on turbulence. Here a method of determining particle size via remote sensing measurements of ocean colour and brightness has been applied to a set of monthly satellite images of the Irish Sea covering a full year (2006). The suspended sediment concentration was calculated from the ratio between green (555 nm) and red (665 nm) wavelengths in MODIS imagery. Empirical formulae were employed to convert suspended sediment concentrations and irradiance reflectance in the red part of the spectrum into specific scattering by mineral particles and floc size. A geographical pattern was evident in all images with shallow areas with fast currents having high year-average suspended sediment concentrations (7.6 mg l⁻¹), high specific scattering (0.225 m² g⁻¹) and thus small particle sizes (143 μm). The reverse is true for deeper areas with slower currents, e.g. the Gyre southwest of the Isle of Man where turbidity levels are lower (3.3 mg l⁻¹), specific scattering is lower (0.081 m² g⁻¹) and thus particle sizes are larger (595 μm) on average over a year. Temporal signals are also seen over the year in these parameters with minimum seasonal amplitudes (a factor 3.5) in the Turbidity Maximum and maximum seasonal amplitudes twice as large (a factor 7) in the Gyre. In the Gyre heating overcomes mixing in summer and stratification occurs allowing suspended sediments to settle out and flocs to grow large. The size of aggregated flocs is theoretically proportional to the Kolmogorov scale. This scale was calculated using depth, current, and wind speed data and compared to the size of flocculated particles. The proportionality changes through the year, indicating the influence of biological processes in summer in promoting larger flocs.