Landscape evolution and glaciation of the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda: Insights from numerical modeling

The Rwenzori Mountains are a high alpine mountain chain, about 40 × 80 km in size, just north of the equator in the western branch of the East African Rift System in Africa. The central part of the mountain chain is located in Uganda, and the highest peak, the Margherita Peak with 5119 m, lies on the border to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Topography is very pronounced, with steeply incised valleys and clear glacial landforms in the upper part of the mountain chain. The Rwenzori Mountains are an unusually high mountain chain located in the extensional setting of the East African Rift System, and the large elevation poses a challenging problem for geodynamists to explain.We have used the landscape evolution model ULTIMA THULE, which combines hillslope diffusion, fluvial erosion, and glacial abrasion and is driven by a climate driver, simulating the variations in temperature, precipitation, and relief over several glacial cycles. With a simulation time of 800 ka, we test the hypothesis of climate-tectonic interactions on the uplift of the Rwenzori Mountains.Our results show that a moderate cooling of around 6° causes widespread glaciation of the high mountain regions as observed during the peak glacial phases, and that morphological processes degrading the landscape allow for a tectonic uplift rate of around 0.5 mm a^− 1.     

荒漠-绿洲交错带土壤N、P、K含量的高光谱反演模型

利用新疆奇台县荒漠-绿洲交错带的75个土壤样本,选取土壤可见光-近红外光谱的反射率（R）、光谱反射率倒数之对数（lg（1/R））、光谱反射率一阶导数（FDR）和光谱波段深度（Depth）4个指标,分析了其与土壤N、P、K元素含量的关系,分别建立了反演模型并对其精度进行了检验。结果表明：可见光-近红外反射光谱快速估算荒漠-绿洲交错带土壤N、P、K元素含量的潜力大,其预测精度由高到低的排列顺序为：N>P>K。不同光谱指标反演模型的精度各异,指标Depth和FDR的预测效果明显优于lg（1/R）和R,对N和P元素的拟合效果为：lg（1/R）相似文献   

Architecture,formation and implication of active structure-controlled intraslope channel system southeast offshore Sendai,Tohoku, Japan

Located off the Pacific coast of central Tohoku (NE Japan), the Ishinomaki slope channel (ISC) provides an excellent opportunity to study a structure-controlled intraslope channel and downslope sedimentation along the active margin. The seismic reflection data across ISC show an extensive basal surface and overlying channel complexes between the basement structures of the Abukuma ridge to the south and Kitakami massif to the north, indicating that the formation of the intraslope basin, channelization of ISC and sedimentation of the downstream channel-lobe transition zone (CLTZ) are very likely to be structure-controlled. The oblique channel stacking pattern, faulting of the seafloor and subsurface Abukuma ridge in the upper and lower domains of ISC, collectively suggest that ISC has migrated northward and is currently under the influence of active compression. Differences in styles of accommodation space between the upper and lower domains of ISC suggest that differential subsidence occurred along the strike-slip tectonic line. Based on the regional strike-slip tectonic line, we propose that a Kitakami-Abukuma ridge existed before the formation of ISC. The strike-slip faulting divided the Kitakami-Abukuma ridge into the Kitakami massif to the north and the Abukuma ridge to the south, and an intervening fault trough as the precursor of the intraslope basin and ISC. As the subduction of the Pacific Plate and associated compressional events continued, the Abukuma ridge was reactivated to narrow the intraslope basin into a confined channel. Located near the epicentre of the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake event, the ISC, downstream CLTZ and underlying intraslope basin provide information on active basement structure and the evolving sediment routing system on the tectonically active margin.     

Impacts of interrelated biotic and abiotic processes during the past 125 000 years of landscape evolution in the Northern Mojave Desert, Nevada, USA

Interrelated, biotic (flora and fauna) and abiotic (pedogenesis and hydrology) processes were examined at four sites (30, and approximately 1000–3000, 7000–12 000, and 125 000 years before present) in the northern Mojave Desert. Data collected at each included floral and faunal surveys; soil texture, structure, and morphology; and soil hydraulic properties. Separate measurements were made in shrub undercanopy and intercanopy microsites. At all sites, shrubs made up greater than 86 percent of total perennial cover, being least on the youngest site (4 percent) and most on the 7000–12 000-year-old site (31 percent). In the intercanopy, winter annual density was highest on the 1000- to 3000-year-old site (249 plants/m²) and lowest on the oldest site (4 plants/m²). Faunal activity, measured by burrow density, was highest on the 1000–3000- and 7000–12 000-year-old sites (0.21 burrows/m²) and density was twice as high in the undercanopy versus the intercanopy. Burrow density was lower at the two oldest sites, although density was not statistically greater in the undercanopy than intercanopy. At the older sites, the soil water balance was increasingly controlled by Av horizons in intercanopy soils in which saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_sat) decreased 95 percent from the youngest to the oldest site. No significant reduction in K_sat in undercanopy soils was observed. Decreases in the intercanopy sites correlated with decreases in annual plant density and bioturbation, suggesting these processes are interrelated with surface age.     

Assessing the natural component of the external load due to organic matter and biogenic elements on the water bodies in Northwestern Russia

We suggest the method to calculate the natural component of the external loads due to organic matter and biogenic elements on the unexplored lakes using the removal rate moduli for these elements, and indices of the lakes’ specific catchments. The schematic map has been generated for the distribution of natural moduli of removal on the catchment of the Gulf of Finland. We calculated the external natural loads for 94 lakes in landscapes with a high percentage of lakes.     

小气候、雪盖及土壤湿度对高山生态系统功能的影响

1 Introduction High mountain landscapes above the tree-line are often regarded as close to nature, although human impact has obviously changed the environment, partly exceeding its carrying capac- ity (L?ffler, 2000). Due to their fragility regarding expected environmental changes and an increasing land use pressure in many regions, high mountain landscapes recently became a major focus within the discussion on a sustainable development in a worldwide (Messerli and Ives, 1997), and regional p…     

The influence of micro-climate, snow cover, and soil moisture on ecosystem functioning in high mountains

The dynamics of water and energy fluxes in the high mountains of central Norway was studied along micro-spatial topographic gradients in different altitudes and regions of the Scandes. Landscape ecological processes like snow accumulation during winter, snow melting, evaporation, percolation, soil moisture variability and temperature variations were quantified. Combining spatio-temporal data on physical environment functioning and vegeta-tion patterns resulted in a process-oriented characterisation of high mountain ecosystems. Extensive data from long-term measurements were synthesised illustrating the influence of micro-climate, snow cover, and soil moisture on high mountain ecosystem functioning. The results reveal that the micro-climatic impact on the vegetation is predominantly determined by snow cover overlaying soil moisture gradients. Water only becomes superior where near-surface water saturation and flooding occur. A lack of soil moisture availability was not found during any time of the year even under driest site conditions. Contrasting literature, the Norwegian mountain vegetation was found to be interpreted by environmental variable con-stellations excluding drought stress.     

小气候、雪盖及土壤湿度对高山生态系统功能的影响(英文)

1 Introduction High mountain landscapes above the tree-line are often regarded as close to nature, although human impact has obviously changed the environment, partly exceeding its carrying capac- ity (L?ffler, 2000). Due to their fragility regarding expe…     

引发意大利托斯卡纳区滑坡的区域降水阈值体系的定义——统计与环境分析(英文)

The aim of this work is the determination of regional-scale rainfall thresholds for the triggering of landslides in the Tuscany Region(Italy).The critical rainfall events related to the occurrence of 593 past landslides were characterized in terms of duration(D) and intensity(I).I and D values were plotted in a log-log diagram and a lower boundary was clearly noticeable:it was interpreted as a threshold representing the rainfall conditions associated to landsliding.That was also confirmed by a comparison with many literature thresholds,but at the same time it was clear that a similar threshold would be affected by a too large approximation to be effectively used for a regional warning system.Therefore,further analyses were performed differentiating the events on the basis of seasonality,magnitude,location,land use and lithology.None of these criteria led to discriminate among all the events different groups to be characterized by a specific and more effective threshold.This outcome could be interpreted as the demonstration that at regional scale the best results are obtained by the simplest ap-proach,in our case an empirical black box model which accounts only for two rainfall pa-rameters(I and D).So a set of thresholds could be conveniently defined using a statistical approach:four thresholds corresponding to four severity levels were defined by means of the prediction interval technique and we developed a prototype warning system based on rainfall recordings or weather forecasts.     

Small valley glaciers and the effectiveness of the glacial buzzsaw in the northern Basin and Range, USA

The glacial buzzsaw hypothesis suggests that efficient erosion limits topographic elevations in extensively glaciated orogens. Studies to date have largely focussed on regions where large glaciers (tens of kilometres long) have been active. In light of recent studies emphasising the importance of lateral glacial erosion in lowering peaks and ridgelines, we examine the effectiveness of small glaciers in limiting topography under both relatively slow and rapid rock uplift conditions. Four ranges in the northern Basin and Range, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, USA, were chosen for this analysis. Estimates of maximum Pleistocene slip rates along normal faults bounding the Beaverhead–Bitterroot Mountains (~ 0.14 mm y^− 1), Lemhi Range (~ 0.3 mm y^− 1) and Lost River Range (~ 0.3 mm y^− 1) are an order of magnitude lower than those on the Teton Fault (~ 2 mm y^− 1). We compare the distribution of glacial erosion (estimated from cirque floor elevations and last glacial maximum (LGM) equilibrium line altitude (ELA) reconstructions) and fault slip rate with three metrics of topography in each range: the along-strike maximum elevation swath profile, hypsometry, and slope-elevation profiles. In the slowly uplifting Beaverhead–Bitterroot Mountains, and Lemhi and Lost River Ranges, trends in maximum elevation parallel ELAs, independent of variations in fault slip rate. Maximum elevations are offset ~ 500 m from LGM ELAs in the Lost River Range, Lemhi Range, and northern Beaverhead–Bitterroot Mountains, and by ~ 350 m in the southern Beaverhead–Bitterroot Mountains, where glacial extents were less. The offset between maximum topography and mean Quaternary ELAs, inferred from cirque floor elevations, is ~ 350 m in the Lost River and Lemhi Ranges, and 200–250 m in the Beaverhead–Bitterroot Mountains. Additionally, slope-elevation profiles are flattened and hypsometry profiles show a peak in surface areas close to the ELA in the Lemhi Range and Beaverhead–Bitterroot Mountains, suggesting that small glaciers efficiently limit topography. The situation in the Lost River Range is less clear as a glacial signature is not apparent in either slope-elevation profiles or the hypsometry. In the rapidly uplifting Teton Range, the distribution of ELAs appears superficially to correspond to maximum topography, hypsometry, and slope-elevations profiles, with regression lines on maximum elevations offset by ~ 700 and ~ 350 m from the LGM and mean Quaternary ELA respectively. However, Grand Teton and Mt. Moran represent high-elevation “Teflon Peaks” that appear impervious to glacial erosion, formed in the hard crystalline bedrock at the core of the range. Glacier size and drainage density, rock uplift rate, and bedrock lithology are all important considerations when assessing the ability of glaciers to limit mountain range topography. In the northern Basin and Range, it is only under exceptional circumstances in the Teton Range that small glaciers appear to be incapable of imposing a fully efficient glacial buzzsaw, emphasising that high peaks represent an important caveat to the glacial buzzsaw hypothesis.     

Role of landscape parameters in riverine run-off,and sediment and organic matter yield on Disko Island,West Greenland

Measurements of discharge and suspended sediment and organic matter yield from nine different drainage basins on the island Disko in central West Greenland were carried out in the period 19–30 July 1997. A series of landscape properties (glacier cover, altitude, slope, aspect and vegetation cover) were measured for each drainage basin from a digital elevation model and a satellite image. Principal Component Analysis and regression statistics have been used to examine which landscape parameters dominate the measured discharges and yields. It is concluded that differences in suspended sediment and organic matter yield between the drainage basins can be explained by the measured morphometric properties while differences in water run-off can not. Glacier cover percentage and percent area above 800 m a.s.l. were the most important parameters influencing suspended sediment and organic matter yield in the drainage basins on Disko during the study period.     

Biogeomorphological influence of slope processes and sedimentology on vascular talus vegetation in the southern Cascades, California

The vascular vegetation of alpine talus slopes between 2035 and 3095 m altitude was studied at Lassen Volcanic National Park (California) in the Cascade Range. Taluses show a diverse flora, with 79 plant species; growth forms include coniferous trees, shrubs, suffrutices, herbs, graminoids, and ferns. Spatial patterns of plant distribution were studied along 40 point-intercept transects. Plant cover was low (0-32.7%) on all slopes, spatially variable, and showed no consistent trends. Sedimentological characteristics were determined by photosieving next to 1500 plants; this census indicated preferential plant growth on blocks and cobbles, with 43.2% and 23.3% of the plants growing on these stones, respectively; fewer specimens were rooted on pebbles (13%) or on stone-free gravel areas (20.5%). Growth forms displayed different substrate preferences: 92.5% of the shrubs and 83% of the suffrutices colonized blocks or cobbles, but only 57.2% of the herbs and 59.8% of the graminoids grew on large stones. Plants are associated with large clasts because (1) coarse talus is more stable than fine sediment areas, which are more frequently disturbed by various geomorphic processes, and (2) large stones help conserve substrate water beneath them while moisture quickly evaporates from fine debris.Root patterns were studied for 30 plant species; 10 specimens for each species were excavated and inspected, and several root growth ratios calculated. All species exhibited pronounced root asymmetry, as roots for most plants grew upslope from their shoot base. For 23 species, all specimens had 100% of their roots growing upslope; for the other 7 species, 92.2-99.3% of below-ground biomass extended uphill. This uneven root distribution is ascribed to continual substrate instability and resulting talus shift; as cascading debris progressively buries roots and stems, plants are gradually pushed and/or stretched downhill. Various disturbance events affect root development. Slope erosion following rubble removal often exposes plant roots. Debris deposition can completely bury plants; some may survive sedimentation, producing new shoots that grow through accumulated debris. Shrubs may propagate by layering, as adventitious roots develop along buried stems; or produce new clones along their roots. Slope processes may damage and transport plant pieces downhill; some species can sprout from severed, displaced root or stem fragments. Vegetation interacts with several geomorphic processes, including debris flows, grain flows, rockfall, snow avalanches, frost creep, and runoff. Larger plants may alter local patterns of debris movement and deposition, damming cascading debris on their upslope side and deflecting sediments laterally to plant margins, where they form narrow elongated stone stripes.     

广东省英德宝晶宫的科学价值与美景--为提升宝晶宫的文化品位与发展旅游的思考

英德宝晶宫既蕴藏近百万年来丰富的地球演变信息,又风景秀丽,是人类一处重要的自然遗产。目前可见宝晶宫洞高约80 m,内有多层水平溶洞和古地下河砾石层,有高出北江111 m———广东最高的地下河阶地,有多种类型碳酸钙溶积地貌和大面积灰华坡。宝晶宫洞外的大碧落湖和北江,已基本具备建设类似肇庆星湖乃至阳朔漓江雏形的地貌条件。建议宝晶宫在高标准建设大碧落湖四周环境、进一步探究该宫的地球演变信息和加大旅游开发力度等方面努力。     

植被恢复不同阶段下喀斯特土壤微生物群落结构及活性的变化——以云南石林景区为例

为了探讨植被恢复对喀斯特土壤生化特性的影响,对云南石林景区植被恢复演替下土壤养分、微生物群落结构及活性进行了比较研究。结果表明,相对于裸露地,植被恢复显著地提高了土壤养分、微生物量碳、微生物活性、微生物商、细菌种丰富度及基因多样性;相对于对照原始林,植被恢复演替下土壤总有机碳、总氮、微生物量碳、基础呼吸和诱导呼吸的恢复程度分别为32%～83%、36%～70%、54%～89%、58%～82%和35%～51%;对照林与植被恢复演替下土壤细菌群落结构之间的相似性遵循如下趋势:裸露地(稀)草地灌丛。总体上,自然恢复方式(草地和灌丛)提高土壤质量效果优于人工恢复方式(柏树林);从裸露地到稀草地恢复过程中,土壤质量提高尤为迅速,为退化喀斯特土壤生态系统进一步恢复改善了条件。     

党河流域敦煌盆地地下水补给与演化研究

综合应用水文地球化学指标和稳定同位素技术研究了党河流域敦煌盆地地下水补给和演化规律。岩盐、石膏及芒硝等矿物的溶解对Na⁺、Ca²⁺、Cl^-及SO₄^2-离子浓度影响较大。阳离子交换作用明显,地下水中Mg²⁺和Ca²⁺浓度增加,并与碳酸盐发生沉淀,导致HCO₃^-减少。地下水的δ¹⁸O值介于-12.1‰~-7.5‰,δ²H值变化范围为-84.3‰~-61.5‰,指示了盆地不同地带地下水补给来源不同。潜水δ¹⁸O和δ²H数值随着地下水径流路径方自西南到东北越来越富集,反映了蒸发浓缩效应,南湖、盆地南部潜水同位素与河水相近,体现了现代补给。相比之下,承压水稳定同位素相对贫乏,指示过去寒冷时期的补给。该研究可以为敦煌区域地下水资源规划和管理提供一定的借鉴意义。     

Perceptions of human well-being across diverse respondents and landscapes in a mountain-basin system,China

Human well-being is an important concept for human-nature interactions and affected by social, ecologic, and personal factors. There is increasing consensus about the importance of public perceptions of human well-being, but studies on this are still scarce. Here, we conducted 445 face-to-face interviews to assess subjective well-being across diverse respondents and landscapes in the Huailai mountain-basin system, China. The results suggest the actualization process of human well-being is similar to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. We found that mental health was disregarded by most respondents, while basic material for a good life was most valued. Moreover, our results show differences of well-being across different socio-demographic and landscapes characteristics. Apart from good social relations, elderly respondents had highest levels of human well-being in all other four dimensions; respondents from mountainous land with a high level of ecological conservation had the lowest level of well-being. We discuss the factors contribution to well-being and its implications for local management and policies. Understanding the implications of respondents and landscapes characteristics on human well-being can help managers to develop efficient and specific policies.