Dynamics of nebkhas superimposed on a parabolic dune and their effect on the dune dynamics

We report here on a bare barchan dune in Israel that converted over the last 60 years to a shrub-covered parabolic dune due to changes in land use. Thirty nebkhas (sand mounds) that were formed by sand trapped around shrubs growing on the dune were monitored during winter of 2004–2005. The rates of erosion or deposition were measured at five points in the nebkhas by erosion pins. All nebkhas were shown to undergo erosion or deposition activity. Nebkhas on the windward slope of the dune experienced primarily erosion. Those on the lee slope grew slowly by the light accumulation of sand. The largest nebkhas were found on the dune crest; they built up through the accumulation of sand that was eroded from the windward slope. There were no significant differences between the rates of erosion/deposition of the five study points placed in each nebkha. However, there were significant differences between the rates of erosion/deposition of the nebkhas on the three dynamic segments of the dunes (windward, crest and lee). A change in dune dynamics was observed by the emergence of shrubs on the crest. These shrubs trapped sand and increased the crest height. The sand trapped on the crest was not deposited on the lee side. In that case, the dune becomes narrower, higher, with a concave shape (of the windward slope), during the transformation from a barchan to a parabolic dune.     

沙质草原灌丛沙堆研究综述

灌丛沙堆是干旱、半干旱及半湿润荒漠地区风沙流遇到灌丛阻拦而堆积形成的一种地貌形态。普遍的研究表明灌丛沙堆是伴随人类不合理的土地利用和环境的变化而出现,是土壤风蚀和土地退化的标志,也是沙漠化的一种表现形式。灌丛沙堆在我国分布范围很广,但目前研究还不够深入。笔者主要阐述了国内外对灌丛沙堆形态、沉积物、演变及其环境意义等几个方面研究所取得的进展及其存在的争议,并提出了灌丛沙堆研究的发展趋势,以期引起国内对灌丛沙堆研究的关注。     

柽柳灌丛沙堆及丘间地蚀积分布随背景植被变化的风洞实验

以塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘沙漠-绿洲过渡带广泛分布的柽柳灌丛沙堆及丘间地植物为原型,依据风沙运动相似理论,制作背景植被盖度依次为0%、4%、10%、16%和26%五组灌丛沙堆模型,在风洞中进行蚀积变化规律模拟实验。结果表明：柽柳灌丛沙堆及丘间地蚀积分布可划分为6个区域,依次为沙堆前积沙区、沙堆迎风坡风蚀区、沙堆两侧风蚀区、沙堆背风侧涡流积沙区、沙堆后尾流积沙区和不受沙堆影响区。随着指示风速增大,沙堆前积沙区和尾流积沙区范围缩小而沙堆两侧风蚀区面积明显增大。随着背景植被盖度的增大,沙堆前积沙区和尾流积沙区范围增大而沙堆两侧风蚀区范围明显减小。灌丛沙堆及丘间地整体风蚀面积比、风蚀率、各分区蚀积强度均呈指数规律递减。背景植被盖度为0%时,灌丛沙堆影响区风蚀率明显高于不受沙堆影响区,说明裸露地表条件下灌丛沙堆的存在会加剧地表风蚀;当背景植被盖度为4%~16%时,灌丛沙堆影响区风蚀率均低于不受沙堆影响区,可见丘间地植被存在可使灌丛沙堆起到一定的防风阻沙作用。当背景植被盖度>16%时,柽柳灌丛沙堆及丘间地整体蚀积强度和风蚀率变化趋于平稳。据此认为维持不低于16%的背景植被覆盖,是沙漠-绿洲过渡带柽柳灌丛沙堆科学保育的关键。     

The progress and prospects of nebkhas in arid areas

Nebkhas are often extensively distributed in arid and semi-arid areas, and play an important role in the stabilization of ecological environment in these areas. This paper reviews the following aspects, including formation and succession, spatial distribution, shape and surface airflow characteristics, balance between erosion and deposition, ecological and physiological characteristics of vegetation, response to precipitation and groundwater, soil properties as well as the protection measures. We found that nebkhas were studied without differentiation of succession periods, and shape characteristics, surface airflow, soil properties as well as vegetation dynamics in different succession periods were not fully understood, which made it difficult to explain the succession dynamics of nebkhas and its affecting factors. Previous studies of nebkhas were over-emphasized for its role as an indicator of land degradation, while its ecological functions in degraded ecosystems were neglected, which was unfavorable for the ecological restorations in arid and semi-arid areas. Future studies should pay more attention to the variation of vegetation, soil as well as hydrological process in the succession of nebkhas and its interaction between different influencing factors. In addition, positive role of nebkhas in degraded ecosystems in arid and semi-arid areas should be fully discussed. According to the data got from the above, effective protection measures of nebkhas should be explored.     

The projected impact of climate and land use change on plant diversity: An example from West Africa

In West Africa, plant diversity is threatened by future climate and land use change, however, synergistic forecasts for this area are lacking to date. We investigated the impact and the interplay of future (2050) climate and land use change on plant diversity in Burkina Faso, which covers the major bioclimatic gradient in West Africa. Thus, regions with different levels of species richness can be investigated. The LandSHIFT model was adapted for this study to derive novel future (2050) land use simulations. One-class support vector machines (SVMs) were performed with these land use simulations together with current and future (2050) climate projections at a 0.1° resolution. Our modeling results show that the flora of Burkina Faso will be primarily negatively impacted by future climate and land use changes. However, we found contrasting latitudinal patterns. The more humid regions in Southern Burkina Faso would be more affected in terms of species loss than the Sahel. Climate change is more important than land use change under the assumption of technological stagnation in the agricultural sector. Our results suggest that, in general, the plant diversity in dry and humid regions of the tropics might respond differently to climate and land use change.     

The progress and prospects of nebkhas in arid areas

Nebkhas are often extensively distributed in arid and semi-arid areas, and play an important role in the stabilization of ecological environment in these areas. This paper reviews the following aspects, including formation and succession, spatial distribution, shape and surface airflow characteristics, balance between erosion and deposition, ecological and physiological characteristics of vegetation, response to precipitation and groundwater, soil properties as well as the protection measures. We found that nebkhas were studied without differentiation of succession periods, and shape characteristics, surface airflow, soil properties as well as vegetation dynamics in different succession periods were not fully understood, which made it difficult to explain the succession dynamics of nebkhas and its affecting factors. Previous studies of nebkhas were over-emphasized for its role as an indicator of land degradation, while its ecological functions in degraded ecosystems were neglected, which was unfavorable for the ecological restorations in arid and semi-arid areas. Future studies should pay more attention to the variation of vegetation, soil as well as hydrological process in the succession of nebkhas and its interaction between different influencing factors. In addition, positive role of nebkhas in degraded ecosystems in arid and semi-arid areas should be fully discussed. According to the data got from the above, effective protection measures of nebkhas should be explored.     

干旱地区灌丛沙堆研究现状与展望(英文)

Nebkhas are often extensively distributed in arid and semi-arid areas,and play an important role in the stabilization of ecological environment in these areas.This paper reviews the following aspects,including formation and succession,spatial distribution,shape and surface airflow characteristics,balance between erosion and deposition,ecological and physiological characteristics of vegetation,response to precipitation and groundwater,soil properties as well as the protection measures.We found that nebkhas were studied without differentiation of succession periods,and shape characteristics,surface airflow,soil properties as well as vegetation dynamics in different succession periods were not fully understood,which made it difficult to explain the succession dynamics of nebkhas and its affecting factors.Previous studies of nebkhas were over-emphasized for its role as an indicator of land degradation,while its ecological functions in degraded ecosystems were neglected,which was unfavorable for the ecological restorations in arid and semi-arid areas.Future studies should pay more attention to the variation of vegetation,soil as well as hydrological process in the succession of nebkhas and its interaction between different influencing factors.In addition,positive role of nebkhas in degraded ecosystems in arid and semi-arid areas should be fully discussed.According to the data got from the above,effective protection measures of nebkhas should be explored.     

灌丛沙堆形成演化及年代学研究现状与进展

灌丛沙堆的形成演化与区域气候环境密切相关,是古环境演化领域的重要研究对象。灌丛沙堆多发育于晚全新世以来,可靠的、高分辨率测年数据及地层沉积序列是其演化得以重建的关键,但其形成演化及年代学研究在技术手段方面尚没有新的突破,有关其不同发育阶段高分辨率的年代数据缺乏。围绕灌丛沙堆的发育过程、年代学、地层沉积序列及其形成演化与区域环境等方面,综述了近年来国内外灌丛沙堆已有的研究成果,认为灌丛沙堆各发育阶段与年代学关系、高分辨率年代结果及其形成演化在反映高原内陆盆地古风沙活动、古环境变化等方面的研究还有待深入。     

柽柳灌丛沙堆三维流场随背景植被变化的风洞实验

以塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘沙漠-绿洲过渡带广泛分布的柽柳灌丛沙堆及丘间地植物为原型,依据风沙运动相似理论,制作5组背景植被盖度灌丛沙堆模型,在风洞中进行风流场变化规律模拟实验。结果表明:柽柳沙堆三维流场结构可划分为6个区域,即沙堆前减速区、沙堆迎风坡加速区、沙堆两侧急流区、沙堆背风侧强涡流区、沙堆后尾流恢复区和沙堆上空混合加速区。灌丛沙堆对流场结构影响范围为沙堆前10H到沙堆后14H区段,旁侧影响宽度不超过沙堆宽度的3/4,垂直方向上主要影响灌丛沙堆总高度相对应的下方区域,最大不超过灌丛沙堆总高度的2倍。风速变化不构成对流场结构的影响,但背景植被变化对流场结构影响明显。随着植被盖度增大,沙堆前减速区和沙堆后尾流恢复区范围扩大,两侧急流区和背风侧涡流区范围缩小。背景植被的出现明显降低了其所在高度层的风速,柽柳沙堆各分区地表加速率均随背景植被盖度呈指数规律下降,当植被盖度在16%时加速率变化趋于平缓。从维护绿洲安全的角度出发,根据风沙动力学原理可将16%视为灌丛沙堆科学保育中可能的临界背景植被覆盖值。     

新疆策勒沙漠-绿洲过渡带不同下垫面地表蚀积变化特征

沙漠-绿洲过渡带天然植被具有良好的防风阻沙效益,对绿洲内部农田起到重要生态保护作用。在新疆策勒沙漠-绿洲过渡带流沙地、半固定沙地、绿洲边缘固定沙地6个不同植被覆盖度样地风蚀、风积变化观测基础上,结合地表风速数据,探讨流沙地、半固定沙地、固定沙地不同植被覆盖度和地形下地表风蚀风积变化特征及其影响因素。结果表明：流沙地表现出较强烈的地表风蚀;半固定沙地整体表现出强烈的地表风积;固定沙地上植被覆盖度越高、植株越高和排列方式越均匀、整体地势越低,单位面积风积量也就越大、风蚀量越小,风蚀主要发生在灌丛沙堆的上风向、侧翼、背风风向的裸低凹沙地表面,较高沙堆侧翼的地表风蚀量最大。植被覆盖度与单位面积风蚀量呈多项式或指数函数关系递减,植被覆盖度与单位面积风积量不呈函数分布,说明除了植被覆盖度外,植株类型、高度、排列方式、地形等都会对地表风积量产生一定影响。     

不同气候区灌丛沙堆形态及土壤养分积累特征

灌丛沙堆是干旱、半干旱区绿洲边缘常见景观类型,在绿洲风沙防护及生物多样性保护方面有重要意义.本文对中国西北干旱区不同气候区常见的柽柳(Tamarix chinensis)、泡泡刺(Nitraria sphaerocarpa)和柠条锦鸡儿(Caragana korshinskii)灌丛沙堆形态和养分积累特征进行了对比研究...     

DISCONTINUITIES IN PRECIPITATION SERIES IN THE WEST AFRICAN SAHEL

Sequential application of the single shift Normal Homogeneity Test (NHT) to the time series of Sahel rainfall revealed three clusters of discontinuities or breakpoints separating climatically stationary periods: 1933–1944, 1955–1974, and 1980–1989. At least one breakpoint was detected in 33 of the 55 series analyzed, while two breakpoints occurred in 12. The breakpoints of 1933–1944 marked the termination of spatially localized droughts in western Burkina Faso and southern Mali. Generally speaking, the Sahel drought that began in the late 1960s, persisted into 1998. However, abrupt positive shifts that occurred during the late 1980s restored mean annual rainfall to pre-drought levels at isolated locations. The stationarity of the periods between breakpoints suggests that the abrupt shifts are the dominant source of inhomogeneity in Sahel rainfall. Unlike the widely used climatic normal periods (CNPs), stationary periods are suitable for calculating various empirical indices for application in agriculture and rural water-resources planning in the area. The large number of breakpoints detected at different time periods suggests that Sahel rainfall series are prone to sudden transitions between quasi-stable climatic regimes; much like the onset, drought may terminate abruptly through a sudden shift in the mean annual rainfall. [Key words: Sahel, West Africa, drought, rainfall.]     

Changes in morphology and soil nutrient patterns of nebkhas in arid regions along a precipitation gradient

Nebkhas, discrete mounds of sand and vegetation, are a common landscape feature critical to the stability of desert ecosystems and supported by limited precipitation. Nebkha morphology and spatial pattern vary in landscapes, but it is unclear how they change along precipitation gradients in arid and semi-arid regions. In this study we determined morphology and soil nutrient patterns of nebkha from different regions of northwestern China. The objective of this study was to understand zonal differences among nebkhas and how morphological characteristics and soil nutrient patterns of nebkha change along a precipitation gradient in northwestern China. Our results shows that mean annual precipitation(MAP) had significant effects on morphological characteristics of nebkhas such as height, area, and volume which significantly decreased with an increase in MAP. MAP had significant positive effects on shrub cover and species richness of nebkha. Soil nutrients such as soil organic matter(SOM), total carbon(TC), total nitrogen(TN), and total phosphorus(TP) in the 0-10 cm layer increased with an increase of MAP, and soil nutrient content within nebkhas was higher than in inter-nebkha areas.We concluded that nebkhas are "fertile islands" with an important role in ecosystem dynamics in study regions. Further,MAP is a key factor which determined zonal differences, morphological, and soil nutrients patterns of nebkhas. However,disturbance, such as animal grazing, and planted sand-stabilizing vegetation accelerated the degeneration of nebkha landscapes. We recommend implementation of protective measures for nebkhas in arid and semi-arid areas of China.     

The Major Soils of a Village in Northern Burkina Faso

Krogh, Lars: The Major Soils of a Village in Northern Burkina Faso. Geografisk Tidsskrift 93:90–100. Copenhagen 1993.

In the Oudalan Province of Sahelian Northern Burkina Faso soil investigations have been carried out in order to evaluate the sustainability of millet production with emphasis on the dynamics of soil fertility. Some results of pedological investigations carried out in 1990 are included. Three commonly occurring soil types in a village territory are examined and their genesis and fertility discussed. Analyses show that the soils are inherently low in organic matter. The level of macro-nutrients is low, soil structure is weak or unfavourable: all probably due to a combination of natural and human factors. Crop yields are generally low and cannot be raised without more intensive cultivation.     

Seasonal labour migration strategies in the Sahel: coping with poverty or optimising security?

This study examined the relationship between seasonal labor migration and poverty for various Fulani populations in the Sahel region of northern Burkina Faso, who represent the spectrum of production systems from pure pastoralism to agropastoralism to cultivation. There is a general trend of rising seasonal labor participation with increasing household wealth; limited financial and human resources mean that families belonging to the lower income population are excluded from this option. However, other ethnic and economic differences among the population compound this picture. Agriculturalists are more likely to migrate than pastoralists, and the Fulani subgroup Fulbe Djelgobe is unlikely to migrate at all unless desperate. The impacts of circular labor also differ. For a few agriculturalists and agropastoralists, migration to the cities is rewarding; for most the gains are small but are still essential. Pastoralists are more likely to experience negative outcomes than agriculturalists. Unless sufficient provision is made to fill in labor deficits in the migrants' absence, the cost of domestic production may seriously outweigh any benefits in the long run.     

塔克拉玛干沙漠和田河西侧胡杨沙堆的形态特征及空间分布格局

胡杨沙堆是风沙流遇到胡杨干扰,沙物质堆积而形成的一种风积地貌类型。在风沙地貌领域,对胡杨沙堆的研究几乎空白。和田河西侧、麻扎塔格山以南的塔克拉玛干沙漠中分布有大量胡杨沙堆。基于野外RTK测量数据,利用GIS和统计手段,对胡杨沙堆进行信息提取与统计,定量分析了和田河西侧10个样方内胡杨沙堆的形态参数及沙堆空间分布格局。结果表明:1)沙堆形态不规则,形态参数空间差异显著,南北向形态参数均值变化较东西向稳定; 2)样方内沙堆形态参数间有良好的相关性,大部分沙堆处于发育阶段; 3)沙堆分布较稀疏,自西向东沙堆分布密度逐渐增大,从南到北为减小-增大-减小的变化趋势,总体上南部密度大于北部,东部密度大于西部; 4)10个样方沙堆与特定距离的随机分布差异性较小,整体上为离散分布,但东部较西部、北部较南部有小部分区域聚集分布。     

Explaining NDVI trends in northern Burkina Faso

Many studies have shown a ‘greening of the Sahel’ on the basis of analysis of time series of satellite images and this has shown to be, at least partly, explained by changes in rainfall. In northern Burkina Faso, an area stands out as anomalous in such analysis, since it is characterized by a distinct spatial pattern and strongly dominated by negative trends in Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The aim of the paper is to explain this distinct pattern. When studied over the period 2000–2012, using NDVI data from the MODIS sensor the spatial pattern of NDVI trends indicates that non-climatic factors are involved. By relating NDVI trends to landscape elements and land use change we demonstrate that NDVI trends in the north-western parts of the study area are mostly related to landscape elements, while this is not the case in the south-eastern parts, where rapidly changing land use, including. expansion of irrigation, plays a major role. It is inferred that a process of increased redistribution of fine soil material, water and vegetation from plateaus and slopes to valleys, possibly related to higher grazing pressure, may provide an explanation of the observed pattern of NDVI trends. Further work will focus on testing this hypothesis.     

Distribution and Characteristics of Nitraria sphaerocarpa nebkhas in a Gobi habitat outside an oasis in Hexi Corridor region, China

Nitraria sphaerocarpa Maxim., a typical desert plant which often appears in nebkha form, is widely distributed along the periphery of oasis in arid regions of Northwest China, and plays an important role in desertification control around oases. In this paper, the characteristics and distribution patterns of N. sphaerocarpa nebkhas were investigated in a Gobi environment outside an oasis. Results shows that about 200 N. sphaerocarpa nebkhas per hectare was recorded and total sand sediments was 25 m³/ha. Nebkhas vary in size, and the mean height (H) and horizontal composition (L) were 15 cm and 80 cm, respectively. There exists a significant linear relationship between H and L, suggesting that the investigated nebkhas are mostly in the growth stage. The numbers, height and sand deposit of nebkhas decreased with increasing distance away from the oasis. Grain-size analysis indicates that the mean grain size of sediments at the crests of nebkhas increased with increasing nebkha height. Organic C and total N concentrations were related to the mean grain size. It was concluded that N. sphaerocarpa shrubs are efficient horizontal sand traps for wind-driven sediments. A better understanding of the development of nebkha can provide information for the design of biological sand control measures around oases in arid regions.     

新疆策勒绿洲-沙漠过渡带地表沙物质理化性质空间差异

植被盖度、地形等会对荒漠区风沙土壤理化性质产生影响.对策勒自流沙前沿沿主风向到绿洲边缘的柽柳沙堆顶部、流动沙丘顶部、裸露平沙地3种地貌部位表面沙物质理化性质分析,结果表明:流动沙丘顶部沙物质平均粒径3.47～2.6 Φ,明显粗于裸露平沙地和柽柳沙堆顶部沙粒,从流沙前沿到绿洲边缘沙物质有细化趋势,流沙前沿平沙地上沙粒平均粒径比绿洲边缘裸露平沙地沙粒平均粒径粗0.44 Φ;在空间上沙物质分选系数差异不大,分选性都为中等偏上-中等;平沙地和流动沙丘顶部沙粒偏度为-0.06～0.06,相对于平均值分布近对称.柽柳沙堆顶部沙粒偏度分布在0.05～0.25,大都属于极细偏;流动沙丘顶部和平沙地沙粒都表现为中等峰态,柽柳沙堆顶部沙粒大多表现为窄峰态.柽柳沙堆顶部大部分沙物质pH为酸性,其余地貌部位沙粒都表现为碱性,3种地貌单元含盐量与地形高低关系较密切.不同地貌部位地表沙物质总盐量表现为:柽柳沙堆顶部 > 裸露平沙地 > 流动沙丘顶部,流动沙丘顶部沙粒含盐量最少,越靠近绿洲柽柳沙堆顶部沙粒总盐量愈高.     

Eolian Dust Erosion from an Agricultural Field on the North Carolina Coastal Plain

Eolian erosion typically has not been considered a significant process on the humid southeastern coastal plain of the United States. A preliminary study of eolian erosion from an agricultural field was undertaken during the late winter of 2002 and early spring of 1999. During those times local agricultural practices leave fields bare while frontal systems produce frequent high wind events. Dust emissions were measured with two samplers; modified Wilson and Cooke passive dust traps and high-volume air samplers. Results of the study indicate that wind erosion is a significant process on agricultural fields of the North Carolina Coastal plain. Dust flux off of the field during the largest of five measured events was estimated as high as 126 kg/m with total losses of 3070 kg/ha. Atmospheric concentrations of suspended material were measured at 58,815 μgm^-3. Sediment erosion was not evenly distributed across the field. Erosion was focused over soils that are better drained. Low levels of soil moisture did not eliminate erosion but instead produced pulses of sediment emission as sustained wind continually dried then activated sequential layers of the field surface. Soil moisture and topography appear to be the primary controls on spatial erosion differences and soil characteristics likely play a secondary role.