Mima-type mounds in southwest Missouri: Expressions of point-centered and locally thickened biomantles

Mima-type mounds, formed in gravelly soils of the Diamond Grove Prairie Natural Area near Joplin, Missouri, are the focus of this study. Emphasis is on the spatial and morphological aspects of the mounds, and more particularly on the analysis of mound soils and gravel distributions as a means for shedding light on mound origins in this region. The results strongly suggest that hierarchically dominant point-centered bioturbation by small vertebrates is the mode of mound genesis. Pocket gophers (Geomys bursarius), aided by other biota, create mounds as they burrow in residual gravelly soils that have evolved dense, relatively impermeable claypans that perch water during wet periods. Although pocket gophers do not presently inhabit the Diamond Grove area, evidence of past occupation, along with laboratory and field data, support them as the dominant role in forming the mounds. We conclude that these mounds are expressions of point-centered and locally thickened biomantles. Various subsidiary processes such as aeolian inputs, water erosion, and physical and chemical weathering also have genetically impacted Diamond Grove mounds.     

A groundwater vortex hypothesis for mima-like mounds, Laramie Basin, Wyoming

Mima-like mounds in the Laramie Basin occur where: (1) impervious bedrock (shale) is at a shallow depth (∼ 2–5 m); (2) bedrock is overlain by a thin veneer (∼ 1–4 m) of alluvial gravels; and (3) a strong argillic/calcic or petrocalcic soil caps the landform, typically a terrace. Active and inactive mounds contain churned materials, including pebbles derived from adjacent/subjacent units. The mounds are circular in plan view and lens- or funnel-shaped in cross-section. The strong intermound (premound) soil collapses beneath the mound, is entirely or partly destroyed at its base, or is truncated at the mound edge. Stratigraphic relationships on the youngest terrace of the Laramie River indicate that the inactive mounds are Holocene in age.Sodium concentrations (used as a tracer) in mound material and adjacent/subjacent units suggest that the mounds rotate counterclockwise. This movement may be driven by free spiral vortices (low hydraulic head) in confined (artesian) groundwater flow in alluvium between shallow bedrock and strong surface soil. The vortices (similar to water draining from a bathtub or a whirlpool in a river) may result from enlargements, constrictions, or changes in permeability of the aquifer — or meandering of groundwater flow. Groundwater, dissolved ions, and materials in suspension, or through friction and turbidity, then would move from adjacent high-hydraulic head areas into and down the vortex. In effect, the high head (intermound) areas would act as a pump whereas the vortex (which would form a mound) would act as a turbine — responding, therefore, to energy transformations between groundwater velocity and pressure according to the Bernoulli principle and Newton's Second Law of Motion. Soil or sediment, incapable of being fully moved into and down the vortex, would amass at the land surface as a circular mound that in cross-section would have a lens or funnel (turbine) shape. Computer modelling shows that mounds tend to form over deep bedrock and thick alluvium.The groundwater vortex hypothesis can account for the building of the mound higher at its center, the circular plan view and lens (or funnel) shape in cross-section, the inward spiral of sodium, the churned character of mound material, and the collapse (or truncation) of soils and other units beneath and along mound edges. The hypothesis, however, must not be applied to all other Mima or mima-like mounds, unless vortex motion can be determined and if stratigraphic similarities can be demonstrated.     

REDISTRIBUTION AND MIXING OF SOIL GRAVELS BY TREE UPROOTING*

Gravel distributions within treethrow mounds and adjacent undisturbed soils in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania were examined to determine the pedoturbation effects of tree uprooting. Erosion of fine materials from the fresh root plate and subsequent treethrow mound leaves gravels as a lag deposit forming surface gravel armors. Continued slow erosion of remaining nongravelly materials diminishes topograhic expression of the mound. In time, gravel armors remain as the only evidence of past uprooting events.     

TREE UPROOTING: REVIEW OF TYPES AND PATTERNS OF SOIL DISTURBANCE

This paper reviews the processes of tree uprooting, examines the classification of pit and mound microtopography and assesses the effects of tree uprooting on soil mixing and genesis. The processes by which soil-horizon clasts are mixed as they slump off the root plate, and the ultimate patterns of soil horizonation within mounds, are primary foci of the paper. Longevity of treethrow mounds can exceed 2000 years, making these landforms more lasting features than is often assumed. Because of their great longevity, the pits and mounds formed by uprooting have lasting effects on soil morphology. Soils of these microsites often classify in different soil orders or suborders than do adjacent, less disturbed soils. The importance of tree uprooting to mass movement processes is examined. In some areas uprooting may be the primary mass wasting mechanism. Nonetheless, estimates of the amount of sediment moved and the net distance of transport vary greatly and may in some cases be overestimated. [Key words: pedoturbation, microtopography, pit/mound topography, mass wasting, geomorphology.]     

Engineering rodents create key habitat for lizards

There is growing recognition among ecologists that ecosystem engineers play important roles in creating habitat for other species, but the comparative and combined effects of co-existing engineers are not well known. Here, we evaluated the separate and interactive effects of two burrowing rodents, Gunnison's prairie dogs (Cynomys gunnisoni) and banner-tailed kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spectabilis), on lizards in the Chihuahuan Desert grassland (USA). We found that the mounds and burrow systems of both rodent species provided important habitat for lizards, with lizard abundance being 2 to 4-fold higher on mounds than in adjacent areas without mounds. Kangaroo rat mounds supported greater numbers of lizards than prairie dog mounds, but the prairie dog colony with kangaroo rats supported 2-times more lizards than the landscape with only kangaroo rats. A greater number of mound habitats were available for lizards where prairie dogs and kangaroo rats co-occurred, and the rodents created unique structural mound types with different spatial distributions on the landscape. Our results demonstrate the importance of burrowing rodents in creating habitat for other animals, and that the combined effect of ecosystem engineers, especially those with large ecological roles, can be complementary and additive in areas where they co-occur.     

Badger (Taxidea taxus) disturbances increase soil heterogeneity in a degraded shrub-steppe ecosystem

In the western United States, overgrazing, weed invasion and wildfire have resulted in the conversion of shrub-steppe to annual grasslands, with substantial effects on ecosystem function. In these landscapes, badgers disturb large areas of soil while foraging for fossorial animals. Mounds created by badgers contained the lowest concentrations of total carbon, nitrogen and sulphur, mineral nitrogen and mineralizable nitrogen, inter-mound soils had the highest concentrations, and excavation pits had intermediate levels. Soil C:N ratio and pH were greater, and electrical conductivity and soluble Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺ were lower on mound soils compared with either pit or inter-mound soils. Larger pits generally trapped more litter, and increased litter mass equated with greater concentrations of active carbon, but only at the burned sites. Older mounds supported more vascular plants and cryptogamic crusts. Our results demonstrate reduced levels of nutrients and a higher C:N ratio on the mounds compared with either the pits or inter-mounds. Alteration to the homogeneous post-fire landscape by badgers contributes to patchiness in soils and vegetation, which is critical to the functioning of arid systems. Given their effect on soil C:N ratios, mounds may be important sites for recovery of indigenous shrub-steppe plant species.     

浙北湖州地区土墩墓遥感影像研究

浙北湖州地区土墩墓分布广,数量多.建立符合浙北实际的土墩墓影像解译标志是全面调查、发现和研究土墩墓的技术关键.土墩墓的类型有多种,总结了这些土墩墓的主要影像特征.山脊上的土墩墓呈串珠状分布,分布于山谷的土墩墓比较零散,平面呈方形,平原岗地上的土墩墓呈散点状,比较低缓,表土剥蚀了的石室土墩墓在影像上明显有棱角,特大土墩墓不仅形体大,而且周围有排列规则的多列小土墩墓环绕,具有重要考古价值.球状风化、农田中的水迹等易与土墩墓混淆,但也有其显著特征.     

新疆和田河流域灌丛沙堆风洞流场的实验研究（Ⅰ）

灌丛沙堆是一种重要的风积地貌类型,风力、沙源、植物是影响灌丛沙堆发育的主要因素。依据风沙运动实验相似理论,以新疆和田河流域实测的灌丛沙堆数据为基础,按40∶1的比例缩小制作成无植被“灌丛沙堆”模型,在风洞中选用区间在6~14 m\5s-1的5组不同风速分别对沙堆模型作纯气流模拟实验流场观测,探讨在不同风力作用下灌丛沙堆表面的流场结构变化特征。模拟实验表明,气流在半球形沙堆迎风坡下部受到正面风压影响有较明显反射涡流,丘顶具有高速气流风蚀区域,而圆锥形沙堆迎风坡气流均匀爬坡加速,背风坡涡流强盛,因此两者在无沙情况下的纯气流流场结构特征、沙堆形态动力平衡特点有较明显差异。     

灌丛沙堆表面压力分布特征的实验研究

风成沙丘表面压力分布特征直接反映沙丘表面风蚀风积特点,因而是研究沙丘表面地貌过程的重要依据。依据风沙运动实验相似性理论,以新疆和田河流域实测柽柳沙堆为基础,按一定比例缩小制作成四组模型,选用起沙风速区间在6~14 m/s的5组不同风速分别对四组模型在风洞中作纯气流表面压力的模拟实验。结果表明,无植物覆盖的半球形沙堆和圆锥形沙堆的表面压力分布特征存在着较大差异,其中半球形沙堆迎风坡下部有较明显反射涡流,丘顶存在高压剪切气流区域,圆锥形沙堆则不存在这种风压变化,此外半球形和圆锥形沙堆两翼的高低压风蚀区域分布特点也不一致。人工“植物”引发的沙堆丘顶和背风坡区域表面风压的显著变化有利于截留沙尘、保护沙堆免受风蚀并促进沙堆增长。     

3D seismic expression of fluid migration and mud remobilization on the Gjallar Ridge, offshore mid-Norway

This paper presents a three‐dimensional (3D) seismic analysis of sediment remobilization and fluid migration in a 2000‐km² area above the Gjallar Ridge located in the Vøring Basin, offshore Norway. Three distinct types of mounded structures have been identified as resulting from focused fluid/gas migration and associated mud remobilization and intrusion. Type A structures are gently mounded, and we infer that these structures formed because of in situ remobilization of Middle Eocene to Lower–Middle Oligocene fine‐grained sediments in response to fluid and minor sediment injection via deep‐seated normal faults. Type B structures comprise relatively steep‐sided mounds and are restricted to the pre‐Miocene interval. They are often located above narrow zones of discontinuous low‐amplitude reflections resembling gas chimneys. Some of the Type B structures are associated with stacked amplitude anomalies and possible mud volcanoes at the base Pleistocene indicating their long‐term significance as vertical fluid conduits. Type C structures comprise discrete mound features that seem to jack up the Top Palaeocene (Top Brygge) horizon. These are similar to hydrothermal mounds found elsewhere on the Norwegian Margin and associated with igneous sill intrusion during North Atlantic breakup. This study highlights the utility of 3D seismic data for mapping of fluid and sediment mobilization through time over large basinal areas.     

Effects of the abandonment of the burrowing mounds of fat sand rat (Psammomys obesus cretzschamar 1828) on vegetation and soil surface attributes along the coastal dunes of North Sinai,Egypt

Fat sand rats (Psammomys obesus) are strictly herbivorous and live in densely complex burrows in the desert of North Africa and the Middle East. Little is known however about the effect of their foraging and burrowing activities on surface morphology and plant community attributes. This study evaluated such effects by comparing burrow and mound surface morphology, canopy of the main host chenopod shrub Anabasis articulata, vegetation cover, and plant abundance and species richness on and off both active and abandoned colonies in the semi-stabilized sand dunes of the Northern Sinai. In general, active burrow systems were characterized by reduced A. articulata canopy area, and more soil disturbance, with higher and larger burrow mounds dominated by bare ground, dung, and dead and fresh litter. The abandonment of mounds for five years has resulted in significant increases of plant cover, canopy height, abundance and species richness. Vegetation structure and plant species assemblages differed between mound and non-mound patches of both active and abandoned sites. The results suggest that fat sand rats can have significant direct and indirect, short-term and long-term effects on vegetation dynamics and structure through their mound building and foraging.     

The soils of Culbin forest, Morayshire: their evolution and morphology, with reference to their forestry potential

A brief account of the environmental conditions within Culbin forest is provided as a background to tracing the evolution of the area since late Glacial time. Where possible, the events are placed in historical order and the development and morphological characteristics of the soils are discussed.With the exception of the humus podsols, which are developed on an old dune system, the soils lack profile development. However, since the establishment of a tree canopy, soil horizon development has been initiated and a weakly developed iron podsol has been extensively mapped. Otherwise, the soils are classified as regosols. with some low-lying soils assigned to a gleyic subgroup. The widespread occurrence of buried peat and alluvial horizons was noted during fieldwork, and mapping units that incorporate these important horizons have been separated.Investigation into the potential of each of the mapping units for forestry reveals that where buried horizons are present significant increases in yield class can be anticipated: elsewhere nitrogen and general nutrient deficiency have seriously affected tree growth, which is only mediocre in performance. However, recent work has shown that a dramatic increase in yield class can be brought about with the application of fertilizer.     

The paleogeographic implications of loess mounds: Laizhou Bay plain

The loess mounds are a newly discovered type of landforms on the Laizhou Bay plain south of the Bohai Sea. Research shows that they were formed in the late period of the late Pleistocene when the Bohai Sea was exposed in the period of late Wümu glacial age and changed into plain. As the exposed area is not protected by vegetation, the sediments at the sea bottom are blown and transported southward by strong north winds, and deposit on the coastal plains. As thick loess is accumulated, the loess mound landforms are formed in the direction of down wind.     

渤海莱州湾南岸平原黄土阜地貌及其古地理意义

在莱州湾南岸滨海平原上发现一种新地貌类型黄土阜。研究表明，它形成于晚更新世晚玉木冰期。在此寒冷时期，渤海曾水退为平原，由于极少植被覆盖，形成陆架荒漠。裸露的海底松散沉积物被强劲的北风向南吹扬搬运，于南岸平原有利地形位置上沉积下来，形成厚层砂质黄土，并顺风向形成了阜状黄土地貌。     

The paleogeographic implications of loess mounds: Laizhou Bay plain

Loess mounds are made of gray-yellow loess materials and the number is over 200 in the area of over 1000 km2 on the alluvial or marine-built plains south of Laizhou Bay (Figure 1). 1 The formal and distributional characteristics of loess mounds 1.1 Formal characteristics The plane forms of loess mounds are irregular oval or round. Their major axes are in north-south trending, most of them are 300 to 500 m long, with smaller ones tens m long, and individual larger ones more than 1,000 m …     

SOIL DEVELOPMENT AND SPATIAL VARIABILITY ON GEOMORPHIC SURFACES OF DIFFERENT AGE

Twenty-four soil pedons on each of four sandy lake terraces in northwestern lower Michigan that ranged in age from 3000 to 11,000 years BP were studied to assess trends in soil morphological variability with time. After verifying the general uniformity of parent materials within and between the four surfaces, we examined temporal trends in the spatial variability of soil color, cementation, horizon thickness and development. E horizons attained high color values (lightness) by 3000 years and changed little after that time, whereas B horizons continued to get darker with time. Cementation within B horizons increased in strength and amount with time, as did B horizon thickness. Soils ≥4000 years old had deeper eluvial zones but much greater variabilities in the thickness of that zone than did younger soils. Soil development increased with time, but spatial variability in degree of development also increased with time. These patterns are best explained by invoking spatially random soil mixing upon a surface that is otherwise undergoing podzolization. [Key words: podzolization, chronofunction, Michigan, soil variability, soil genesis.]     

ALPINE AND SUBALPINE SOIL PROPERTIES AS PALEOENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS

This paper discusses the use of soils as indicators of environmental change in the alpine and sub-alpine zones of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Textural, miner-alogical, and chemical properties of soils developed on Quaternary glacial moraines are examined. A clear discontinuity in soil properties is observed between surface and subsurface horizons. Surface horizons are commonly finer grained and less strongly weathered than subsurface horizons. The soil-property discontinuity is interpreted to be a reflection of parent-material change. Surface horizons are interpreted to have developed in eolian sediments, while subsurface horizons have developed in glacial till. The duplex soils are believed to reflect alternating changes from cold moist climates and glacial advance to cold dry climates and loess deposition. [Key words: alpine soils, alpine weathering, alpine loess, climate change.]     

Soils of Namaqualand: Compensations for aridity

The soil mantle in Namaqualand is immature in terms of weathering. Despite or even because of this, the diversity and spatial variability of soil physical and chemical properties is exceptionally high and could be fundamental in governing biodiversity and ecosystem function. In arid landscapes, the way the soil sheds, admits, stores, diverts and transmits water is crucially important. Namaqualand's soils possess special features, which modify water infiltration, hydraulic conductivity and subsurface storage and provision of water to plants. These include pedodermal crusts; a natural mulch of surface gravel or desert pavement; water-repellent soils with fingered infiltration of rain water; textural discontinuities at depth; subsurface horizons cemented with silica, calcite, fibrous clays or gypsum; soluble salts that affect plant water uptake osmotically; clay minerals having exceptional water-absorbing capacity and that are unique to arid environments; and a mechanism, in deeper sandy soils, for thermally induced upward transport of water vapour—a kind of nocturnal distillation—that seems to lessen the need for plants to root deeply.Superimposed on this already impressive pedodiversity are the almost ubiquitous heuweltjies—broad, low mounds which add further complexity to fluxes of water, salts, energy and nutrients in the landscape.     

Geomorphological Holocene events as deduced from lithological records of the fluvial basins of Dauria

A conjugate analysis of the processes of morphogenesis and sedimentation within small fluvial basins of Dauria revealed a rhythmic character of change of the Holocene processes which are combined into cycles of a different hierarchical level. It is shown that each cycle begins with an extreme phase of intense fluvial drift and delivery of matter from the system. The fluvial horizons comprise the lower part of deposits of the Holocene macrocycle in the Vesnyanka pad’ (a valley without a permanent watercourse). A disastrous fluvial drift was recorded repeatedly for the period 7–8.5 cal. ka and at the transition time from the Atlantic to Subboreal time. A normal zonal phase of integration of matter within the basins is exhibited by buried humus horizons of soils which give clear evidence of 1800-year cycles. A regional development in Dauria is recorded for the soils with the age of about 8, 6.4 and 4.6 as well as 1.2–1.4 cal. ka. The upper part of the deposits of each cycle is characterized by aeolian horizons of extreme arid phases. The profiles of proluvial trails are indicative of 130-year cycles. Based on results from studying buried soils, data of pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating of the deposits, we determined an enhancement in climate aridization for the last 10 ka and, in general, a decreased of the sedimentation and morphogenesis rate.