Differential responses of hillslope and channel elements to rainfall events in a semi-arid area

The degree of hydrological connectivity of hillslope elements in a semi-arid climate was studied at the season and event timescales. Field data were obtained in Rambla Honda, a Medalus project field site situated in SE Spain, on micaschist bedrock and with 300 mm annual rainfall. The season timescale was assessed using correlation analysis between soil moisture and topographic indices. The event timescale was studied by a quasi-continuous monitoring of rainfall, soil moisture, runoff and piezometric levels. Results show that widespread transfers of water along the hillslope are unusual because potential conditions for producing overland flow or throughflow are spatially discontinuous and extremely short-lived. During extreme events, runoff coefficients may be locally high (ca. 40% on slope lengths of 10 m), but decrease dramatically at the hillslope scale (<10% on slope lengths of 50 m). Two mechanisms of overland flow generation have been identified: infiltration excess, and local subsurface saturation from upper layers. The former occurs during the initial stages of the event while the latter, which is quantitatively more important, takes place later and requires a certain time structure of rainfall intensities that allow saturation of the topsoil and the subsequent production of runoff. Hillslopes and alluvial fans function as runoff sources and sinks respectively. Permanent aquifers are lacking in Rambla Honda. Variable proportions of hillslope areas may contribute to flash floods in the main channel, but their contribution to the formation of saturated layers within the sediment fill is very limited.     

基于Hydrus-1D模型的科尔沁沙地沙丘-草甸相间区土壤水分动态模拟

土壤水分是干旱半干旱地区生态环境的主要限制性因子,研究科尔沁沙地流动沙丘和草甸地土壤水分动态规律有助于荒漠化地区的生态恢复和保护。以2018年5月25日至10月31日为研究期,利用土壤各项实测参数和气象数据,评价Hydrus-1D模型在科尔沁沙地的适用性,并揭示科尔沁沙丘-草甸相间区土壤水分分布特征,重点分析研究区流动沙丘200 cm剖面和草甸地80 cm剖面土壤水分的动态规律。结果表明:研究区典型土地类型流动沙丘和草甸地土壤水分模拟值和实测值的决定系数均高于0.76,均方根误差0.01~0.02 cm³·cm^-3;在土壤剖面上具有明显的分层结构,流动沙丘分为3层,即0~20 cm为干沙层,20~120 cm为活跃层,120~200 cm为稳定层,其中40 cm土壤水分波动性最大;草甸地分为2层,即0~40 cm为活跃层,40~80 cm为稳定层,主要受降雨、蒸散发和地下水位影响;流动沙丘和草甸地降雨与表层土壤水分呈极显著相关,降雨量与地下水位变化仅草甸地呈显著正相关;在整个研究期内,流动沙丘土壤水分储量变化量为12.6 mm,土壤实际蒸发量为105.9 mm,200 cm深层渗漏量为173.9 mm,占总降雨量的59.5%;草甸地土壤水分储量变化量为8 mm,80 cm深层渗漏量为-27.2 mm(地下水补给量),土壤实际蒸发量为67 mm,植被蒸腾量为244 mm,地表径流量为0 mm。     

In-situ rainwater harvesting and gravel mulch combination for corn production in the dry semi-arid region of China

A field study was conducted to determine the effect of a combination of ridge and furrow method of in-situ rainwater harvesting with gravel mulch on corn production, soil moisture storage, and water-use efficiency in the dry semi-arid region of China. Results showed that plastic-covered ridges had an average runoff efficiency (runoff/rainfall) of 87% as compared to 7% for bare ridges, and could generate runoff at a threshold value of 0·8±0·2 mm rainfall. Bare ridges produced runoff only under high intensity rainfall events, and was ineffective for harvesting rainfall in the study area. The plastic-covered ridge and gravel-mulched furrow method of rainwater harvesting was effective in conserving moisture and increasing yield and water-use efficiency. The grain yield in this treatment was 1·9 times that of the conventional flat soil cultivation (control), and the water-use efficiency was 1·8 times that of the control. The good performance of the film-covered surface ridges and gravel-mulched furrows is attributed to the better utilization of light rains, improvement of infiltration in the root zone, and suppression of evaporation losses.     

Differences in hillslope runoff and sediment transport rates within two semi-arid catchments in southeast Spain

This paper focuses on hillslope runoff and sediment transport within two catchments in southeast Spain. Five monitoring sites were established on hillslope concavities throughout the two catchments. The techniques used were mini-crest stage recorders, spray-painted lines, sediment traps and tipping bucket rain gauges (established during previous research). Results show that a storm event in the Rambla Nogalte on 30 June 2002 of 83.0 mm was responsible for a maximum runoff depth of 12 cm and a maximum hillslope sediment transport of 1886 cm³ m⁻¹. The same storm in the Rambla de Torrealvilla produced 53.4 mm of rainfall on the 1 July 2002, had a maximum runoff depth of 26 cm and resulted in 2311 cm³ m⁻¹ of sediment transport. There is evidence to suggest that measured sediment transport is related to runoff and a qualitative estimate of Morphological Runoff Zones (MRZ). Sediment transport and depth of runoff varied dramatically with lithology; marl sites produced most runoff and sediment transport, followed by the sites of mixed red and blue schist, then blue schist. These results are important for understanding the behaviour of slopes and show that for short lived storms with high, but not rare, rainfall intensities and total rainfall amounts, runoff can cause significant hillslope sediment transport in semi-arid areas.     

祖厉河流域降雨径流泥沙变化特征研究

祖厉河流域位于年降水量200～400 mm之间过渡带,是气候变化最敏感和最为复杂的区域之一。运用祖厉河流域1955-2013年径流量、输沙量与年降雨量的变化趋势、时段特征进行了分析。结果表明：祖厉河流域降雨量、径流量和输沙量存在年际变化大、逐年减小的变化趋势;年降雨量在1995年出现突变点,降雨量存在明显的丰水和枯水变化,丰水时段（1955-1989年）年降水量为376.2 mm,枯水时段（1990-2013年）年降水量为224.9 mm;径流量和泥沙量的突变点分别出现在1995年和2000年;依据UF_k值信度变化趋势,将径流量、输沙量变化分为非显著减少（1955-1971年）、显著减少（1972-1985年）、较显著减少（1986-2000年）和极显著减少（2001-2013年）四个时期。     

Initiation conditions for debris flows generated by runoff at Chalk Cliffs, central Colorado

We have monitored initiation conditions for six debris flows between May 2004 and July 2006 in a 0.3 km² drainage basin at Chalk Cliffs; a band of hydrothermally-altered quartz monzonite in central Colorado. Debris flows were initiated by water runoff from colluvium and bedrock that entrained sediment from rills and channels with slopes ranging from about 14° to 45°. The availability of channel material is essentially unlimited because of thick channel fill and refilling following debris flows by rock fall and dry ravel processes. Rainfall exceeding I = 6.61(D)^− 0.77, where I is rainfall intensity (mm/h), and D is duration (h), was required for the initiation of debris flows in the drainage basin. The approximate minimum runoff discharge from the surface of bedrock required to initiate debris flows in the channels was 0.15 m³/s. Colluvium in the basin was unsaturated immediately prior to (antecedent) and during debris flows. Antecedent, volumetric moisture levels in colluvium at depths of 1 cm and 29 cm ranged from 4–9%, and 4–7%, respectively. During debris flows, peak moisture levels in colluvium at depths of 1 cm and 29 cm ranged from 10–20%, and 4–12%, respectively. Channel sediment at a depth of 45 cm was unsaturated before and during debris flows; antecedent moisture ranged from 20–22%, and peak moisture ranged from 24–38%. Although we have no measurements from shallow rill or channel sediment, we infer that it was unsaturated before debris flows, and saturated by surface-water runoff during debris flows.Our results allow us to make the following general statements with regard to debris flows generated by runoff in semi-arid to arid mountainous regions: 1) high antecedent moisture levels in hillslope and channel sediment are not required for the initiation of debris flows by runoff, 2) locations of entrainment of sediment by successive runoff events can vary within a basin as a function of variations in the thickness of existing channel fill and the rate of replenishment of channel fill by rock fall and dry ravel processes following debris flows, and 3) rainfall and simulated surface-water discharge thresholds can be useful in understanding and predicting debris flows generated by runoff and sediment entrainment.     

Slope runoff study in situ using rainfall simulator in mountainous area of North China

Simulated rainfall is a valid tool to examine the runoff generation on the slope.13 simulated rainfall experiments with different rainfall intensities and durations are completed in a 5 m ×10 m experimental plot in mountainous area of North China.Simultaneously,rainfall,surface runoff,soil-layer flow,mantel-layer flow and soil moisture are monitored respectively.From the results,it is found that the hydrographs in all layers have the characteristics of rapid rise and fall.The recessions of surface flow and soil-layer flow are much faster than that of mantel-layer flow.Surface flow,the main contributor,makes up more than 60% of the total runoff in the study area.It even exceeds 90% in the cases of high intensity rainfall events.Runoff coefficient(ratio of total runoff to rainfall amount) is mainly influenced by rainfall amount,rainfall intensity and antecedent soil moisture,and the relationship can be well expressed by a multiple linear regression function α = 0.002P + 0.182i + 4.88Wa-0.821.The relation between the rainfall intensity and the lag time of three flows(surface runoff,soil-layer flow and mantel-layer flow) is shown to be exponential.Then,the result also shows that the recession constant is 0.75 for surface runoff,is 0.94 for soil-layer and mantel-layer flow in this area.In this study area,the dominant infiltration excess runoff is simulated by Horton model.About 0.10 mm/min percolation is observed under the condition of different rainfall intensities,therefore the value is regarded as the steady infiltration rate of the study area.     

Analysis of vegetation seasonality in Sahelian environments using MODIS LAI,in association with land cover and rainfall

Present-day Sahelian vegetation in a highly anthropized semi-arid region is assessed from local to regional scales, through the joint analysis of MODIS LAI (1 km² and 8-day resolutions), daily rainfall, morphopedological and land cover datasets covering the period 2000–2008. The study area is located in northwest Senegal and consists of the “Niayes” and the northwestern “Peanut Basin” eco-regions, characterized by market gardening and rain-fed cultivated crops, respectively. The objectives are i) to analyse at pixel scale LAI time series and their relation to vegetation and soil types, ii) the estimation of phenological metrics (start of season SOS, end of season EOS, growing season length GSL) and their inter-annual variability, iii) to recognize the vegetation responses to rainfall trends (mean annual precipitation, MAP; frequency of rainy events, K; combination of MAP and K, called F).Pixel-scale analyses show that LAI time series 1) describe the actual phenology (agreeing with ground-truth AGHRYMET data), and thus can be used as a proxy for Sahelian vegetation dynamics, 2) are strongly dependent on soil types. Median maps of SOS and EOS suggest an increase of the GSL from Saint-Louis to Dakar, in agreement with both the North-South rainfall gradient and the intensification of agricultural practices around Dakar. Significant correlations (R: 0.64) between annual variation coefficient of LAI and MAP for both herbaceous crops and natural vegetation are highlighted; this correlation is reinforced (R: 0.7) using the rainfall distribution factors K and F. Rainfall thresholds allowing the SOS can be defined for each type of vegetation. These thresholds are estimated at 0–5 mm, 20 mm and 40 mm for natural herbs, herbaceous crops and shrublands, respectively.If previous works revealed the close link between the MAP and the SOS, our results highlight that LAI dynamics are also controlled by rainfall distribution during the Monsoon season. In this study, climatic indicators are proposed for estimating vegetation dynamics and monitoring SOS. Coupling Earth Observation data, such as MODIS LAI, with rainfall data, vegetation and soil information is found to be a reliable method for vegetation monitoring and for assessing the impact of human pressure on vegetation degradation.     

Short-term changes in the magnitude, frequency and temporal distribution of floods in the Eastern Mediterranean region during the last 45 years — Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, Israel

Short-term changes in Eastern Mediterranean precipitation affecting flow regime were documented in Nahal Oren, a 35 km² ephemeral stream in Mt. Carmel, a 500 m high mountain ridge located at the NW coast of Israel. The rainy winter of the Mediterranean type climate (Csa) in Mt. Carmel is characterized by average annual rainfall of 550 mm at the coastal plain to 750 mm at the highest elevation while the summer is hot and dry. Stream flow generates after accumulated rainfall of 120–150 mm while “large floods”, defined as flows with peak discharge of > 5 m³ s^− 1 and/or > 150,000 m³ in volume, are generated in response to rainfall of over 100 mm. Hence, large floods in Nahal Oren stream occur not earlier than December. Precipitation and flow data were divided into two sub-periods: 1957–1969 and 1991–2003 and compared to each other. The results indicate a clear increase in the frequency of large floods, their magnitudes and volumes during the second period with no parallel change in the annual precipitation. Similarly, an increase in storm rainfall–runoff ratio from < 5% to > 15% and a decrease in the threshold rainfall for channel flow by 16–25% were documented. These short-term variations in flooding behavior are explained by the clear decrease in the length of the rainy season and by the resulting significant shortening in the duration of the dry-spells. The increase in the number of large rainfall events and the large floods in each hydrological year together with the increasing number of years with no floods indicate strengthening of their uncertainty of behavior.     

黄土丘陵沟壑区不同深度土壤水分对降雨的响应及其稳定性

通过采用点面结合的方法,分析黄土高原地区降雨影响下不同深度土壤水分的时空变化,从土壤水分复杂的“变异性”中提取相对的“不变性”。结果表明:20 cm以上土壤水分无明显规律,难以表征不同植被类型或空间位置上的土壤水分差异;小于30 mm的降雨基本不会引起40 cm以下土壤水分明显波动;100 cm深处,各采样点的土壤水分能在一个稳定值上保持数月时间,在大于46 mm的强降雨之后出现阶梯式抬升,之后又保持稳定状态;越往土层深处,土壤水分时空稳定性越明显,能较好的表征各植被类型或空间位置上的土壤水分差异。该研究从土壤水分的稳定性角度进行分析,对黄土高原土壤水分的地面采样设计和时空预测具有实际应用价值。     

华北平原缺水盐渍区浅层地下水位动态分析

本文以国家农业科技攻关南皮试区为例,分析了华北缺水盐渍区地下水水位动态及其与降水量的关系,应用灰色系统理论的GM(1,1)预测方法,建立了地下水位动态的模拟、预测模型。结果表明,在目前供水、用水和水文地质条件下,未来地下水水位呈缓慢下降趋势,年均下降速度为0.12～0.14m/年。单靠平水年甚或丰水年降水难以维持地下水采补平衡,必须进行多年径流调节或跨流域调水,以丰补歉,互济余缺,并实施农田综合节水技术,防止区域水环境的恶化。     

不同演替阶段油蒿群落土壤水分特征分析

油蒿群落是毛乌素沙地最主要的群落类型之一,在维持当地生态系统稳定中起着重要作用。土壤水分是影响油蒿群落演替的重要环境因子,为深入分析不同油蒿演替阶段土壤水分特征,使用EC-5土壤水分传感器连续监测整个生长季内先锋物种阶段(流动沙地)、稀疏阶段(半固定沙地)和建成阶段(固定沙地)油蒿群落土壤水分动态。结果表明,3种样地土壤水分均存在时间和空间上差异,流动沙地各层土壤含水量均显著高于半固定沙地和固定沙地;土壤含水量受降水影响较大, 降水量是影响土壤水分补给深度的重要因素,小于10 mm的降水主要被表层土壤吸收,10～20 mm的降水对土壤水分的补给深度超过30 cm、不及60 cm, 30～40 mm的降水补给深度大于60 cm、不及100 cm;30 cm及其上层土壤水分波动剧烈,60 cm处土壤水分主要受大于30 mm降水事件影响,波动较小,100 cm和160 cm处土壤水分几乎不受降水的影响,土壤含水量较稳定;降水补给深度及植被根系需水的层次差异是导致3种样地土壤水分时间和空间上异质性的重要因素;土壤温度主要受大气温度影响,与土壤水分相关性不显著,且随土壤深度的增加而降低。     

Soil sodium and potassium adsorption ratio along a Mediterranean–arid transect

Changes in the relationship between soil soluble ions and rainfall were studied on hillslopes at seven research sites that represent four climatic regions: Mediterranean, semi-arid, mildly arid and arid. At each site, soil samples were taken in several seasons and the ratio between the Na⁺ plus K⁺ content and the Ca²⁺ plus Mg²⁺ content (sodium and potassium adsorption RATIO=SPAR) was determined. In general, SPAR increased with increasing aridity except for the most arid site in which the soil contains a gypsic layer. The relationship between SPAR and rainfall was non-linear. An abiotic threshold, characterized by a sharp change in the SPAR, was found around the 200 mm isohyet: sites that receive less than 200 mm annual rainfall showed significantly higher SPAR than those that receive more than 200 mm, where SPAR was very low.     

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF SHEET EROSION IN GRANITIC REGION OF WUHUA COUNTY,GUANGDONG PROVINCE

1.IntroductionWuhuaCounty,locatedintheupstreamOfHanjianghiver,isoneofthemostseriouslyerodedcountiesinSouthChinagraniticweatheringregionOfGUangdOngPrOvince.ByinveStighion,thetOtalerodedareaisestimatedtobe875.33km,whichoccupiedbot30percentofthetOtalerodedareaoftenmostseriouserodedcountiesintheregion.Insomeconununes,theeroddareaevenreachedtomorethan6Opercent.ErosionresuItedinwidesPedOfbemountalns,landdopadaion,shortOfwterresourceshoperecotw.~ngthethreetypesoferosionintheupstreamOfHanjian…     

苏打盐碱土地区不同土地利用类型的地表水分蒸渗特征

选择东北松嫩平原西部典型地区,采用FAO56方法和实际田间定期观测相结合,分析了当地旱田和碱斑地两种主要土地利用类型地表水分蒸散和入渗特征及其对土地盐碱化的影响。结果表明:对于玉米地这样相对蒸散量比较大的旱作农田来讲,水分亏缺和盐碱化主要发生在根层,而对表层土壤,即使在偏干旱年份,仍然有足够的水分入渗量来维持盐分平衡。碱斑地随着植被的破坏,总体上表层土壤蒸发和入渗量基本平衡,但是由于土壤水分蒸发过程中盐分浓度要比入渗过程中的盐分浓度大,表层土壤依然向盐碱化方向发展。采取适当的土地利用方式,建立耗水量与该地区降雨水平相适应的植被系统是控制区域土地盐碱化发展的关键。     

Effects of cattle trampling on vegetation, infiltration, and erosion in a tropical rangeland

Cattle trampling without forage consumption at stocking densities of 0.03-1.4 cows ha⁻¹ was simulated on two dry-season rangelands in Kenya. Experiments under artificial rainfall documented the response of plant cover and production, infiltration, and erosion on a Luvisol and a Vertisol. Trampling reduced plant cover, biomass, and, at the highest rate, regeneration in the ensuing wet season. Infiltration was reduced on the Vertisol but not the Luvisol, although increases in runoff due to trampling were slight. Trampling increased soil loss partly by reducing vegetation cover but mainly by disrupting surface layers of sand on the Luvisol and of clay aggregates on the Vertisol. Soil loss normalized by runoff and rainfall energy declined in a sequence of erosive rainstorms as the sandy surface layer became re-established, but before vegetation recovered. Establishment of a sandy armor layer during runoff events and its disruption by dry-season trampling thus strongly affect soil-loss rates. Trampling limits plant recovery in the ensuing wet season only at intensities typical of settlement and watering centers. The experimental results, generalized with a spatial model of stock density, can be used to estimate the contribution of trampling to forage production and erosion as herding patterns change in response to sedenterization and water development.     

Effects of soil degradation on infiltration rates in grazed semiarid rangelands of northeastern Patagonia, Argentina

In grazed semiarid ecosystems, considerable spatial variability in soil infiltration exists as a result of vegetation and soil patchiness. Despite widespread recognition that important interactions and feedbacks occur between vegetation, runoff and erosion, currently there is only limited quantitative information on the control mechanisms that lead to differences in infiltration from different vegetation types. In this paper, we determine (i) the relationship between vegetation and soil surface characteristics and (ii) the soil infiltration rate by using rainfall simulations on runoff plots (0.60 × 1.67 m) in three plant communities of northeastern Patagonia: grass (GS), degraded grass with scattered shrubs (DGS), and degraded shrub steppes (DSS). Our results clearly indicate that vegetation and soil infiltration are closely coupled. Total infiltration was significantly higher in the GS (69.6 mm) compared with the DGS and DSS (42.9 and 28.5 mm, respectively). In the GS, soil infiltration rate declined more slowly than the others communities, reaching a terminal infiltration rate significantly greater (57.7 mm) than those of DGS and DSS (25.7 and 12.9 mm, respectively). The high rate of water losses via overland-flow may limit the possibilities for grass seedling emergence and establishment and favor the persistent dominance of shrubs.     

Effect of nitrogen amendments on microbial biomass, above-ground biomass and nematode population in the Negev Desert soil

Nitrogen amendments (0, 25, 50 and 100 kg NH₄NO₃/ha) were used to study the responses of primary production, microbial biomass and nematode population in desert soil. The study was conducted in the Israeli Negev Desert, a region characterized by low and randomly distributed rainfall. Over a 1-year study period, nitrogen amendments resulted in a significant (p<0·01) increase in soil microbial biomass. Soil microbial biomass also increased concomitantly with the increase in soil organic matter. The number of free-living nematodes in the soil increased with the increase in soil moisture, ranging from 43,000 individuals per square metre at the end of the summer to 351,000 individuals per square metre during the rainy season. No significant correlation was found between the nitrogen treatments and the nematode population, whereas a significant positive correlation was found between the nitrogen amendments and the above-ground biomass (r²=0·94, p<0·03). The nitrate proportion of the total soluble nitrogen in the soil also increased with the increase in soil moisture. This study provides baseline data for nitrogen amendments on soil microbial status, as well as insights into the importance of nitrogen in fertility in arid environments.     

应用环境同位素技术研究华北典型流域水循环机理的展望

华北水问题日益严重,而水循环机理研究尚显得薄弱。环境同位素水文学是研究流域水循环过程变化的新的技术途径。它利用水中水分子所含的同位素含量的变化,可以判断大气降水的水蒸气的来源;定量分析坡地的产汇流产生机制,进而研究"大气降水—地表水—土壤水—地下水"的相互作用关系;彻底查明流域"四水"转化关系,创新和发展水循环模式。本文主要介绍同位素技术的原理及其在日本、斯里兰卡、河北平原等地应用实例,最后,对应用此技术研究华北典型流域水循环,从"大气—土壤—植被"界面水循环机理、坡地径流的产汇流机制、流域水循环机理等方面进行了展望。     

毛乌素沙地流动沙丘土壤水分对降雨的响应

为探讨半干旱区流动沙丘土壤水分对降雨的响应,采用AV-3665R型雨量传感器、ECH₂O-5土壤水分传感器同步监测毛乌素沙地东北缘流动沙丘2013年降雨及0～200 cm深度土壤体积含水量动态,分析土壤水分含量变化特征、降雨入渗特征及降雨对土壤水的补给作用。结果表明:5-11月累积降雨399.4 mm,显著(p<0.01)影响0～200 cm深度土壤水分含量; 且0～200 cm深度土壤体积含水量较低(6.49%±1.12%)时53.8 mm降雨、较高(10.22%±1.96%)时24.2 mm降雨湿润锋能够到达200 cm; 试验期间399.4 mm累积降雨对土壤水有一定补给作用,其中45.7±14.1 mm降雨蓄存在0～200 cm深度土壤中,占同期降雨的(11.4%±3.5%,且随着时间的延长,蓄存水大部分将渗漏到200 cm以下补给深层土壤水。